A New Jersey woman who was working at the Art All Night Trenton event when gunfire broke out says that she had to run for her life with her friend.

Fran Carroll says that she volunteered to work a late-night shift at the festival with Moms Demand Action, a gun control advocacy group. She says that it was about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 17, when she noticed a disturbance.

“There was a commotion, and the crowd just started running towards me,” she says. "Just like in the movies. You know it's gunfire, it was pretty clear. There were a lot, I have no idea how many." 

More than 20 people were injured as rival gangs and police officers traded gunfire inside the Roebling Factory, where the 24-hour arts and music festival was being held. One of the suspects was shot and killed by officers.

Carroll, a mother of three, says that she helped her friend as they rushed out.

“I just grabbed my friend around the shoulder. She walks with a cane, so I was worried about her. And I knew that we had to get out together. And we just started running,” Carroll says.

Officials in Mercer County say that a teacher from Hamilton posted on social media a warning that violence could break out at the festival. Officials saw the post and increased security at the event.

Carroll says that despite what happened, she hopes that the festival continues next year.

“It's a great community event, it's free and open. It's one of the best events in Trenton, maybe even the state. It brings people together like this, I think we need more of that,” she says.

Authorities say that they continue to investigate circumstances surrounding the shooting.