A late Sunday night at the Art All Night festival in Trenton, New Jersey, turned into a horror story when a shooting erupted. As crowds rushed to the exits, some people were trampled.
According to the New York Times, the shooting at the 24-hour-festival appeared to be gang-related; 17 people shot.
There were at least three gunmen. Of the three, 32-year-old Tahaij Wells was shot dead by police. Another gunman, 23-year-old Amir Armstrong, was arrested on weapon charges, and an unidentified gunman is hospitalized and in critical condition.
Mercer County prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri spoke at a news conference about the matter on Sunday: “There was a report that the mood inside the venue had been changing,” Onofri said. The prosecutor confirmed there was “numerous physical altercations that took place both inside and outside of the venue" before the shooting.
Trenton mayor-elect Reed Gusciora said he received a Facebook screenshot that read “Please, please do not go to Art All Night! They will be shooting it up!”
Gusciora also added he believed police were aware of potential threats before the event. “They were advised that there might be trouble,” he said. “I don’t know if it was this specific post.”
“We both were warned that someone had planned to come and do harm, but took the risk anyway,” said Gaby Fernández, who attended the festival with a companion despite hearing about the threats. “I’ve been going to Art All Night for years, and it’s always been a safe place.”
This was the 12th year of the beloved festival.
“It saddens me that a public attack such as this is what has brought major attention to our capital city on Father’s Day,” said Mayor Eric Jackson in a statement.
Following the shooting, festival organizers canceled the rest of the festival, and posted an official statement on Facebook.
Authorities do not believe the festival was specifically targeted.