A shooting in Trenton that left 22 injured on Sunday may have been prevented if one of the suspects wasn’t granted an early prison release for murder, and an additional sentence for racketeering during his incarceration.
Governor Phil Murphy just signed into legislation some of the strictest gun laws in the country and called for gun control laws at the federal level in the aftermath of the shooting.
However, he did not address 33-year-old shooter and suspected gang member, Tahaji Wells, early release from prison this February as a potential factor in the violence that left 17 of those injured with gun shot wounds at the Art All Night festival.
Wells was killed by police and a second suspect, Amir Armstrong, 23, remained hospitalized in stable condition, while an unidentified third suspect is in critical condition, according to CBS Philly.
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Tahaji Wells, 33 (left) was one of three suspects in Sunday’s early morning shooting in Trenton. He was killed by police. Second suspect, Amir Armstrong, 23 (right) was injured and is in the hospital in stable. A third unidentified suspect is in critical condition
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called for stricter gun control in the wake of the shooting that left 22 people injured. He did not mention Wells was on early release from prison for murder- the gang member should have been behind bars till the 2020s
Police have two suspects in custody at the hospital. Pictured, a man is being detained after the shooting, although it is unclear if he is one of the alleged shooters
Of the 22 people injured, 17 of those suffered gun shot wounds. One of the victims is a 13-year-old boy who was originally listed in critical condition, but has since been upgraded to stable.
Wells was 17 when he was sentenced to 18-years behind bars in 2004 for the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Robert McNair over a dispute over who should drive a car to a bar.
During his incarceration, Wells, who the Attorney General described as an alleged Bloods gang member, was given an additional six-year sentence after pleading guilty to racketeering after prosecutors said he helped run the gang’s activities from behind bars.
If Wells had served his full sentence, he would not have been released until the 2020s, according to NJ.com.
The governor in February reconvened the state Criminal Justice and Disposition Commission to review sentencing guidelines to see how the state can lower sentences for petty drug crimes and non-violent offenders.
Hours after the shooting, Murphy continued for his push for even stricter gun control laws.
At Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton, Murphy continued his push for more gun control legislation at the federal level.
‘It’s yet another reminder of the senseless gun violence, even having signed six stringent gun laws last week,’ Murphy said at a press conference following the service.
‘We know we’re getting stronger and better but we’re a long way from getting rid of this senselessness.’
Video has emerged of one of the men suspected of shooting dozens at an all-night cultural festival in Trenton, New Jersey, bleeding after being shot (left and right)
The shooting began around 2.45am at the ‘Art All Night Trenton 2018’ festival, a community cultural festival that showcases art, music and food
On Twitter, the governor also said the immediate aftermath is the time to speak about possible gun control.
‘These are not inappropriate times to talk about gun policy,’ he wrote. ‘These are the most important times to talk about gun policy.’
Late Sunday, disturbing video emerged of one of the men suspected shooters bleeding after being shot.
The shooting began around 2.45am at the ‘Art All Night Trenton 2018’ festival, a community cultural festival that showcases art, music and food.
In the clip, one of the suspects is seen bleeding heavily and trying to roll on the ground. A second man is in police custody. Neither have been identified.
The shooting did not appear to be a targeted event but rather a dispute that eventually led to an exchange of gunfire with police.
Edward Forchion, 55, told DailyMail.com that he was handing out flyers at the event when he heard an argument going on inside the building.
‘One kid, about 30 [years old] was arguing with about four other guys saying that they hadn’t take care of his sister and that she was lost,’ he said.
‘I don’t know if that meant she was using – a drug addict. But he was saying that he was ‘away’, I assume he meant in jail.’
‘But he kept saying: ‘We’re family, you take care of family’.’
Officials have not confirmed if this is the same argument that led to the shooting.
The event began Saturday afternoon in the historic Roebling Wire Works building on South Clinton Avenue and was scheduled to continue through the night, ending on Sunday afternoon. It typically draws thousands of people.
The other suspect is currently in police custody. Neither has been identified by authorities
Police report that a 13-year-old boy and three other people are in critical condition
Forchion said he was by the back door of the building where the event was being held when he heard 10 shots ring out.
‘About 20 to 30 feet away were police officers and they ran towards the door and then six more shots rang out, which I think was police firing back,’ he said.
A spokeswoman for St Francis Medical Center in Trenton said 10 victims were being treated there for minor injuries.
She said they were both men and women, ranging in age from 17 to 48 and are in various stages of being released.
Angelo Nicolo told Philadelphia 6ABC station that he and his brother were at the event when they heard loud popping sounds. He said people started running down the street.
‘I saw two police officers escort a guy that got shot in the leg, they bandaged him up and whisked him away,’ Nicolo said.
It is believed that the shooting was not a targeted incident but a dispute that eventually led to an exchange of gunfire with police
A 17-year-old was also reportedly shot in the head, although the state of his or her condition remains unknown
At a press conference on Sunday morning, officials said there as many as 1,000 people in the immediate area of the shooting.
According to authorities, multiple individuals opened fire in the venue.
Multiple weapons were recovered from the scene.
Forchion said he was by the back door of the building where the event was being held when he heard 10 shots ring out.
‘About 20 to 30 feet away were police officers and they ran towards the door and then six more shots rang out, which I think was police firing back,’ he said.