NJ Fatal Mass Shooting Updates: 17 Shot In Trenton, 2 Gunmen ID'd

Suspected gang members opened fire at a Trenton art celebration Sunday, shooting 17 people before one gunman was shot and killed, and police arrested the another. The shooting took place at just before 3 a.m. at an event that had 1,000 people in attendance, with gang members and officers firing at one another.

Two gunmen were identified and charged in a mass shooting that left 22 injured at the Art All Night celebration in Trenton early Sunday, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. Authorities are calling it a "mass casualty shooting" on Father's Day.

A third suspected gunman in the shooting, who was not identified, was listed in critical condition at a local hospital. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office did not elaborate on that person's role.

Read update: New Details May Show What Led To NJ Mass Shooting

Four people – including a 13-year-old boy – were initially in extremely critical condition on Sunday, according to the MCPO. Three of those people, including the boy, were upgraded to stable condition by late Sunday.

One gunman Tahaij Wells, 32, is dead (pictured left), and another, Amir "Mir" Armstrong, 23, is in police custody and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun (pictured right). Both were identified as Trenton residents. One of the shootings was labeled "officer-involved."

Wells was just released from prison on homicide-related charges, according to the MCPO.

"Devastated by last night’s shooting at Art All Night Trenton," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. "We must eradicate the scourge of gun violence from our communities."

"We are grateful to our first responders and all those who sprung to action to help," he added. "Because of faith, because of community, we will rise above this senseless violence."

Murphy delivered remarks at Galilee Baptist Church, 440 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Trenton at mid-day Sunday when people would normally be attending church for a Father's Day Service. Afterwards, the governor privately visited injured shooting victims.

The Art All Night festival was an opportunity for local artists to present their works, and some ironically used it as an opportunity to protest gun violence. The shooting reportedly started near a booth that said: "Imagine a world fee of gun violence."

The MCPO is investigating whether a nearby carjacking may have been connected to the shooting.

The shooting occurred when multiple people attending Trenton's 2018 Art All Night Event, located at the Historic Roebling Wire Works at 675 South Clinton Ave., opened fire within the venue, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.

Trenton police responded at approximately 2:50 a.m. when "multiple males at the event shot multiple people attending," according to the MCPO. Video shown below shows the scene.

Prior to the shooting, there were numerous physical altercations inside and outside the art event venue. The MCPO said the mood inside had been changing and police told organizers that the event needed to be shut down.

Some of the people involved in the altercations apparently had some connections to a gang dispute in the area. They continued to fight even as the event was shutting down. The altercations then apparently escalated in gunfire, according to the MCPO. The suspects were shooting at each other.

The suspects were wounded when police arrived on scene, according to the MCPO. At least 17 people suffered gunshot injuries and were being treated at local hospitals. Multiple weapons were recovered.

The Art All Night organizers, who ultimately canceled the event, offered their heartfelt sympathies: "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."

"We know there are a lot of questions and a lot of speculation at this point. We’re still trying ourselves to piece this entire situation together. What we do know is that we are currently unable to release any submitted artwork that is currently inside the Roebling Wire Works building. That being said, we promise you we’ll be in touch as soon as we have more questions we information on this. We truly appreciate your understanding and patience during this incredibly difficult and confusing situation."

Authorities said that about 1,000 people were in the area when the shooting started.

"My sympathy goes out to the victims and their families," Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson said at a Sunday morning press conference. "All shootings are a crisis. This is not just a random act of violence – this is a public health issue."

"Woke up to news of another terrible shooting, and this time in our own backyard. Praying for those affected in Trenton today," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ.

Murphy, who just signed six gun-control bills into law this past week, said "there's still more work to do" in trying to prevent gun violence in local communities. He decried other states for being permissive in their gun laws and enabling people to easily transport firearms into New Jersey from elsewhere.

"We're getting stronger and better but we're a long way from getting rid of this senselessness," he said.

Numerous reports spoke about how the tragedy may have stemmed from a fight near the celebration.

“When we got here around 2:30, it didn’t look like we were coming to Art All Night,” city resident Franco Roberts told The Trentonian. “It looked like we were outside of a Philadelphia club after the bar closes and people who don’t want to leave are standing around their cars smoking and drinking.”

Roberts told The Trentonian he had a feeling something bad was going to happen in the vicinity of the celebration because there were “more people outside than in the warehouse” and no music was playing inside. “Someone told us they were shutting down the whole building. Then we turned around and saw people squaring up to fight.”

Then came the gunfire, and everybody ran toward the door, he told the publication. People were fighting as the gunmen fled the building, shooting.

Eva Zoll, who said she attended the event, told RLS Media: "I am 71-yrs-old and stopped in to check on my artwork on display. I heard shots behind me and turned and the crowd began to stampede towards me. Thank the Lord I can run. The people were running for their lives. My heart is still shaking but I am safe. My prayers for those who were shot. OMG."

Video from the scene: Viewer discretion advised.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

First photo (blue background) is Tahaij Wells, 32, deceased.

Second photo is Amir "Mir" Armstrong, 23, in police custody. Charged with unlawful possession of a handgun.

YouTube photo/video

A police officer inspects the crime scene at the Roebling Market on June 17, 2018, the morning after a shooting at an all-night art festival injured 20 people and left one suspect dead in Trenton, New Jersey. (Photo by DOMINICK REUTER / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images)