Mass shooting at New Jersey festival leaves one dead, 22 injured
As security summits have warned over the past 12 months, music festivals are increasingly seen as targets for gunmen – enticed by a large crowd packed into a relatively small space and usually with restricted exits.
In the latest incident, one person was left dead and 22 injured after a mass shooting involving multiple weapons at New Jersey’s popular Art All Night.
Held in Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, the free art, music and film runs from 3 pm Saturday to 3 pm Sunday and over the 24 hours draws 30,000.
There were about 5,000 inside the historic Roebling Wire Works Building, and another 5,000 in the precinct outside.
The shooting seemed to have stemmed from a turf war between gangs.
Police are investigating “whisperings” on Facebook on Saturday that something was going to happen at the event.
There had been a physical altercation between gang members inside and outside, and police were about to close down the festival when the first shots were fired.
At least three suspects began shooting about 2:45 am inside the building.
There were chaotic scenes as festival goers rushed to two exits on either side of the building.
The shooting continued outside.
Festival curator Bruce Toth who with his team helped the injured said, “The gallery was full of blood — just trails of blood. Blood spatter all over.
“I saw three people who were down.”
The man who died was identified as 33-year-old Tahaij Wells, was released from prison and on parole since February on homicide-related charges.
One of the 22 wounded was Amir Armstrong, 23, who has been charged with a weapons offence. He remains in hospital in stable condition.
A third unidentified suspect is hospitalised in critical condition.
Gov. Phil Murphy said: “This is yet another reminder of the senselessness of gun violence.
“Even having signed six stringent gun laws last week, we see this.
“We know we are getting stronger and better but we are a long way from cracking the back of this senselessness.”