Police arrest Lawrence man for murder at Applebee’s

A 27-year old Lawrence resident has been charged with murder for shooting a man at the bar at the Applebee’s on Route 1 last week.

Noel Powell III, of Fountayne Lane, a condominium development just off Lawrence Station Road west of Costco, was taken into custody by officers from the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force on Sunday afternoon.

Powell allegedly shot Devin Smith in the back of the head at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday while he was sitting at the bar.

The motive for the shooting is unclear. Smith was also a Lawrence resident.

Powell also has been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. Powell is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center.