Security to be re-evaluated in wake of Trenton festival shooting

<p>It's been one week since nearly two dozen people were wounded in a shooting at the Trenton Art All Night festival.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 24, 2018, 1:23 PM

Updated 2,143 days ago

Share:

Security to be re-evaluated in wake of Trenton festival shooting
It's been one week since nearly two dozen people were wounded in a shooting at the Trenton Art All Night festival, and some officials say security measures need to be reconsidered for the annual event.
Police believe a battle between rival gang members erupted amid the crowd of 1,000 people who were celebrating culture at the arts festival just before 3 a.m. last Sunday.
Patrons of Art All Night ran for cover as alleged rival gang members shot at one another at what had been a peaceful, vibrant festival for the last dozen years.
Investigators say shooter Tahaij Wells used an illegal extended-round magazine gun, and had served time in prison for a previous shooting murder. Wells exchanged fire with two other men inside the festival amid a crowd of innocent people.
Police shot Wells dead. The two other alleged shooters were arrested.
Officials say 15 innocent people were wounded by gunfire and 22 were injured in total.
A Facebook post warned of trouble 14 hours prior to the event, according to Trenton police.
Trenton's police director said four police officers and four sheriff's officers were assigned to the event as security, but that number went up as trouble escalated.
A total of 40 officers were on scene when the shooting began.
Police said fights started to break out in the parking lot outside the venue and eventually officers asked the festival be shut down.
The violence has rekindled a debate over New Jersey's already strict gun laws, but also a statewide conversation about violence on the capital city's streets.
There were no metal detectors at the event.
Trenton's incoming mayor, who takes office July 1, says that security measures at Art All Night need to be re-evaluated.
Councilwoman-elect Kathy McBride, of Trenton, says she is very concerned about the quality of life in Trenton. McBride's son Kenny was shot to death in 1993, and she founded Mothers Against Violence that year.
“I'm concerned about families fleeing the city so we need to really get some resources here,” she says. “We need to be involved in the streets of Trenton. It calls for everyone's involvement here.”
Others say new laws aren’t the answer.
“You can pass all the paper you want,” says Councilman George Muschal. “You're not going to stop the violence, ever. Put the criminals in jail and leave them in jail.”
Most elected officials, including Gov. Phil Murphy, say they still want Art All Night to return next year.


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

1:39
Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

3:17
SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors

SUNY Purchase students hold quiet demonstration following arrests of protestors