Police make arrest in NJ Applebee's murder

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- An arrest has been made in the deadly shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning at the Applebee's on Route 1 in Lawrence Township.

Noel Powell III, 27, of Fountayne Lane, Lawrence Twp, Mercer Co., was taken into police custody in Trenton at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sunday by members of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The shooting happened Tuesday at the Applebee's on the 3330 block of Brunswick Pike (Route 1) near the Quaker Bridge Mall.

Powell is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. He is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Lawrence Township Police Department.

Devin Smith, 23, of Lawrence, was seated at the bar at Applebee's when he was shot in the head at approximately 12:25 a.m. on November 14.

Police said Powell then fled the property.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

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