Gunfire erupts at New Jersey arts festival; 22 wounded

<p>Police had sought to shut down an all-night arts festival in Trenton as several fights broke out before two armed men opened fire.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 17, 2018, 10:35 AM

Updated 2,153 days ago

Share:

Gunmen opened fire at an all-night arts and music festival early Sunday morning, sending people running over each other in the scramble to safety, authorities said. One suspect was killed and 22 people, including two suspects, were injured.
  
Of 17 people treated for gunshot wounds, four of them, including a 13-year-old boy, were critically injured but three had been upgraded to stable by evening, leaving only one man believed to be a suspect in critical condition, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri.
  
The shots rang out around 2:45 a.m. Sunday as an estimated 1,000 or more people were attending the Art All Night Trenton festival that showcases local art, music, food and films.
  
Onofri said numerous fights inside and outside had prompted police to tell organizers that the event needed to be shut down because "there was a report that the mood inside the venue had been changing." Organizers were in the process of doing that when the shooting started, he said.
  
Authorities believe several neighborhood gangs had a dispute at the venue, and multiple suspects began shooting at each other, with police returning fire, Onofri said.

PHOTOS: Aftermath of shooting
INTERVIEW: News 12's John Bathke discusses shooting and festival
Tahaij Wells, 33, the suspect who was killed, had recently been released from prison and was on parole since February on homicide-related charges, Onofri said. Amir Armstrong, 23, listed in stable condition, was charged with a weapons offense. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney who could comment.
  
Multiple weapons were confiscated, including a handgun with an extended capacity magazine containing more ammunition than is allowed under New Jersey law, Onofri said.
  
On Sunday, crime scene tape surrounded the site of the historic Roebling Wire Works Building that now shares a parking lot with a supermarket, bank and laundry.
  
Police were also investigating an attempted carjacking that occurred in a nearby alley. Onofri said police were working to determine if it's connected to the shooting.
  
Gennie Darisme was getting ready to leave the festival when she heard shots and saw people running.
  
"There were people trampling other people, cars hitting other cars," she said.
  
When she was walking back to her car after the shots stopped, Darisme said she saw someone bleeding on the ground, in handcuffs.
  
"People were running to him, trying to see his face, to see if he's a family member or a friend," she said.
  
Theresa Brown, who has been volunteering at Art All Night for 12 years, said she was leaving her volunteer shift when she heard "pop, pop, pop. I thought it was a car backfiring," she said.
  
The remainder of the two-day festival has been canceled.
  
"We're very shocked. We're deeply saddened. Our hearts ache and our eyes are blurry but our dedication and resolve to building a better Trenton through community, creativity and inspiration will never fade. Not tonight. Not ever," festival organizers posted on social media.
  
The injured were taken to area hospitals, where some had been treated and released.
  
Trenton Mayor Eric E. Jackson said the violence can't be "discarded as just random violence; this is a public health issue."


More from News 12
2:01
Video shows suspect stealing 'Leggio for Mayor' political sign from Howell Township property

Video shows suspect stealing 'Leggio for Mayor' political sign from Howell Township property

2:32
Main Street NJ: Showcasing Hillsborough, ‘the best place to live in New Jersey’

Main Street NJ: Showcasing Hillsborough, ‘the best place to live in New Jersey’

2:13
Cloudy with occasional showers overnight; on-and-off Friday showers

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight; on-and-off Friday showers

2:07
KIYC: Does the Open Public Record Act Reform Bill damage democracy?

KIYC: Does the Open Public Record Act Reform Bill damage democracy?

1:51
NJ Transit announces one-way tickets will expire after 30 days starting in July

NJ Transit announces one-way tickets will expire after 30 days starting in July

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:44
Resources to find food banks and food programs in the tri-state area

Resources to find food banks and food programs in the tri-state area

1:39
‘Everything they had is gone.’ Large fire destroys Maplewood home

‘Everything they had is gone.’ Large fire destroys Maplewood home

0:45
Reps. Norcross, Gottheimer criticize Rutgers’ handling of pro-Palestinian protest

Reps. Norcross, Gottheimer criticize Rutgers’ handling of pro-Palestinian protest

0:51
Jersey Proud: Hundreds of police officers embark on Police Unity Tour

Jersey Proud: Hundreds of police officers embark on Police Unity Tour

1:07
Groundbreaking held for new open-air retail center on site of former Monmouth Mall

Groundbreaking held for new open-air retail center on site of former Monmouth Mall

2:41
Menendez bribery trial set to begin: A history of the senator's corruption accusations

Menendez bribery trial set to begin: A history of the senator's corruption accusations

0:30
Holy Cow! Cattle seen wandering around Toms River street

Holy Cow! Cattle seen wandering around Toms River street

2:04
Crews begin restoring severely eroded beaches at Ortley Beach

Crews begin restoring severely eroded beaches at Ortley Beach

0:44
General Pencil Company in Jersey City celebrates 135th year in operation

General Pencil Company in Jersey City celebrates 135th year in operation

0:45
Court documents: Mount Olive day care worker admitted to 'unintentionally' assaulting toddler

Court documents: Mount Olive day care worker admitted to 'unintentionally' assaulting toddler

1:35
Security upgrades at Newark Liberty International Airport are underway. What travelers need to know.

Security upgrades at Newark Liberty International Airport are underway. What travelers need to know.

0:23
Woman accused of breaking into Hudson County post offices 6 times, stealing mail

Woman accused of breaking into Hudson County post offices 6 times, stealing mail

1:52
New Sea Girt ordinance bans digging large holes at beach for safety reasons

New Sea Girt ordinance bans digging large holes at beach for safety reasons

2:01
Meeting alpacas and more at Ocean Township animal park

Meeting alpacas and more at Ocean Township animal park