Trenton Mass Shooting Suspect Previously Arrested In Falls Twp

A 32-year-old man who authorities say was one of the gunmen involved in a mass shooting at a Trenton art festival over the weekend had previously been arrested in Bucks County in connection with a fatal shooting in 2002, according to sources.

Tahaij Wells had been arrested by United States Marshals at the Macintosh Inn in Falls Township, according to a report in The New York Times on Oct. 22, 2002. Wells, a Trenton resident, was wanted in connection with a fatal shooting earlier that month that authorities said was over a girl.

Wells, who was killed in Sunday's shooting, was sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter charges in connection with the fatal 2002 shooting, according to the state Department of Corrections.

He was released from prison in February, according to the Mercer County, N.J. Prosecutor's Office.

Sunday's shooting broke out around 2:45 a.m. at the Trenton Art All Night festival. In addition to Wells' death, 22 people were injured in the violence, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

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

Another gunman, Amir "Mir" Armstrong, 23, also of Trenton, is in police custody.

Years of gang trouble culminated in the shooting, authorities said.

Prior to the shooting, there were numerous physical altercations inside and outside the art event venue. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office 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 into gunfire, according to the MCPO.

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

The suspects were wounded when police arrived on scene, according to the MCPO. 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.

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.

Video from the scene: Viewer discretion advised.

With reporting by Tom Davis

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: DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images)