An annual arts festival in Trenton, N.J., that was to continue Sunday was instead declared a "massive crime scene" by police after an early-morning shooting during which 22 people were injured.
One of the attackers was shot to death and another was arrested.
Seventeen people were shot, of whom four were reported in critical condition, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said. Other injuries were attributed to falls suffered when festival attendees fled the Roebling Wire Works warehouse, where 1,500 East Coast artists submitted work that was supposed to be on display until 3 p.m. Sunday.
More than 1,000 people were at the Art All Night festival when at least two men started firing around 2:45 a.m., causing patrons to frantically run, authorities said. Onofri would not say whether the men were shooting at each other or at event attendees. The gunplay spilled outside behind the warehouse, he said.
Onofri would not reveal the identity of the dead man, saying only that he was 33 and that authorities believe he was shot by police. One man is in custody, Onofri said, declining to provide any information on him.
No metal detectors were set up at entrances to the event, attendees said.
Festival organizers posted a statement on Facebook Sunday morning. In addition to confirming the festival's cancellation, organizers shared that "our staff, our volunteers, our artists and musicians all seem to be healthy and accounted for."
"We're very shocked," organizers said in the statement. "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."
Guns were found at the festival scene, but Onofri would not say what kind or how many. U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents were at the warehouse.
Theresa Brown, 61, a longtime volunteer at the free event, said she was on her way to it when she heard what sounded like gunshots and turned around. She said there have not been problems with the festival in the past There were food trucks and a beer stand in the plaza and bands both inside and out, she said.
Earlier in the day, she said, "it was a lot of kids enjoying walking around with their family," Brown said.
The atmosphere changed by night.
Janel Frink, 40, who grew up in Trenton and now lives in nearby Hamilton Township, said she had intended to go inside the warehouse, arriving about 12:30 a.m., but got worried by about teenagers running around and the heavy presence of police and ambulances. She said police told her to get out of the way. So she left without seeing any art.
"I could tell something was brewing," said Frink, who has attended the 12-year-old arts festival for years, calling it "one of the greater things that Trenton had going."
"I just can't believe it," Frink said. "I feel lucky that I left in a nick of time."
