Malika Whiting, 40, and her 13-year-old daughter Jairah Biggs were found shot to death inside a home in Trenton, New Jersey, on April 12, 2025, officials say
An investigation is underway after a woman and her teen daughter were both found shot to death inside a home in Trenton, New Jersey.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, around 10:30 a.m., police responded to a home on the 300 block of West State Street after receiving a 911 call reporting two deceased victims. When they arrived, they found a 13-year-old girl in a third-floor bedroom and a 40-year-old woman in the stairway leading to the third floor.
Both victims were suffering from gunshot wounds and they were both pronounced dead at the scene. In a released statement, Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora identified the woman as Malika Whiting and her daughter as Jairah Biggs."The news of this horrific act of violence has shaken our community," Gusciora wrote. "The family's roots are in the community and throughout the City. No mother and daughter should ever be taken from this world in such a tragic and violent way."
Investigators said a person of interest in the double shooting was detained on unrelated charges. No arrests have been made in the incident however and police continue to investigate. "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family, friends, and loved ones of Malika and Jairah during this unimaginable time," Gusciora wrote. "As a city, we mourn alongside you and stand with you in grief and in solidarity. Crisis Counselors will be available through the schools. A prayer vigil is being planned for Cadwalader Park on West State Street."
Trenton Police and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force are both investigating the shooting.If you have any information on the incident, please call Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Scott Peterson at 609-649-9218 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at 609-256-0997. You can also email mchtftips@mercercounty.org.