‘Surprise’ ends in death: NJ woman shoots friend making unannounced visit

HAMILTON — A woman accidentally shot and killed her friend who was trying to surprise her at Mercer County home, authorities said.

Tragically, the shooting happened as the two friends were talking to each other on the phone, according to prosecutors, who are considering the shooting an accident.

The woman has not been charged with any crime.

Kelvin Watford, 50, of Willingboro, was shot and killed late Thursday night inside the Genesee Street home of his friend.

The woman says she mistakenly believed Watford was an intruder.

Watford told his friend that he was returning from a trip but wasn’t near her home, prosecutors said.

While they spoke on the phone, the woman heard dog barking and noises outside her home.

Apparently fearing for her safety, the woman grabbed her handgun.

From her bedroom, the woman began hearing noises inside her home. When she opened her bedroom door, she says she saw a shadowy figure in the dark stairs and opened fire, investigators said.

The woman called 911 about 11:23 p.m. to report she had shot an intruder. She then said she had accidentally shot her friend.

The home is located near East Park Avenue across the street from St. Matthias' Episcopal Church and near Hamilton High School West in a neighborhood off Route 206.

Sergio Bichao contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.