Trenton art festival shooting suspect had just been released from prison, prosecutor says

Trenton art festival shooting suspect had just been released from prison, prosecutor says
Eliott C. McLaughlin
Marilia Brocchetto Jun 18, 2018 Updated Jun 18, 2018

(CNN) -- Twenty-two people, including a teenager, were injured early Sunday in a shooting at a 24-hour art festival in Trenton, New Jersey, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said.

Police identified the suspect as Tahaij Wells, 33, who is believed to have been killed by police, prosecutor Angelo Onofri said. Wells had just been released from prison on homicide-related charges, Onofri said. Officials have also charged Amir Armstrong, 23, on weapons offenses.

"It absolutely could have been worse given the confined space and the number of shots that appear to have been fired," Onofri said.

The shooting appears to be the result of a gang dispute, he said. It is not related to terrorism.

Prior to the shooting, Onofri said there were "numerous altercations" inside and outside the festival. Police had been trying to shut the festival down.

Seventeen of the 22 victims transported to area hospitals were treated for gunshot wounds, according to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and St. Francis Medical Center.

Onofri updated the conditions of the four people who were all listed in critical condition, saying three of them -- including the 13-year-old boy -- have been upgraded to stable condition.

The fourth person listed in critical condition is believed to also be a suspect and is the only person still in critical condition. He has yet to be fully interviewed, Onorfri said.

Authorities have heard that as many as 1,000 people were in the area at the time of the shooting, Onofri said. The festival entrances had no metal detectors, he said.

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