Shooting Under Investigation In Hopewell Township; 20-Year-Old From Manalapan Found Dead In Car

December 18, 2022

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Hopewell Township Police Chief James Rosso reported that a 20-year-old Manalapan man was fatally shot in Hopewell Township Saturday evening.

At approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Hopewell police responded to the Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve off of Harbourton-Woodsville Road.  Upon arrival, officers located a white Mercedes C300 on a trail with a male slumped over in the driver’s seat.  The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound a short time later.  The victim has been identified as Phillip Urban of Manalapan.

The shooting is under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hopewell Township Police Department.  Preliminary investigation indicates Urban arranged to meet an acquaintance at the preserve and was shot at some point during the encounter.  No arrests have been made.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCHTF at (609) 989-6406 or the HTPD at (609) 737-3100 ext. 5740.  Information can also be emailed to [email protected].

Google Street View Image of the area