NEARBY: After Art Festival Mass Shooting, Officials Call For Help From Community

Law enforcement were busy on Tuesday tracking down leads and continuing their investigation into the Sunday morning mass shooting at a popular Trenton arts festival.

According to law enforcement, gunfire was exchanged between several people at the historic Roebling Wire Works in New Jersey’s capital city around 3 a.m. Sunday. The shots rang out during the all-day and all-night Art All Night festival and caused chaos inside and outside the event. In total, 22 people were wounded by gunfire, several seriously. Shortly before the shooting, officials were trying to clear out large groups that had gathered at the festival and were causing trouble.

Davone White, 26, of Trenton, was charged Tuesday with of weapons-related offenses. In addition, Amir Armstrong, 23, of Trenton, was also charged with possession of a weapon, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri.

Tahaij Wells, 33, of Trenton, was involved in the gang-related shooting. He died Sunday after being shot, authorities said.

Police were quick to respond and exchange gunfire at the scene. At least 40 officers responded shortly after the call went out, officials said.

Authorities on Tuesday addressed a Facebook post that was published to the site by a Trenton-area teacher hours before the shooting. The post read: “Please please DO NOT GO TO ART ALL NIGHT! THEY WILL BE SHOOTING IT UP!”

Onofri said anyone with concerns should have reported them to police first. He added that the teacher was in North Carolina at the time of the post.

The Trentonian reported that Wells had only been out of prison for a few months leading up to Sunday’s shooting. He had reportedly served most of his time in solitary confinement.

Trenton Mayor-elect Reed Gusciora said to the newspaper that solitary confinement for that many years can turn someone into a “powder keg.”

“It’s an explosion waiting to happen,” he said.

In 2002, Wells was arrested by a U.S. Marshals Service task force at a Falls Township motel. The then-17 year old was wanted for a homicide in Trenton, according to a New York Times brief from the time.

As of Tuesday morning, police continued to block off the Art All Night site and were keeping the crime scene secure.

Onofri said Tuesday at the Friendship Baptist Church that law enforcement needs support from politicians and the community to curb gun violence in the city.

“We need the community’s help,” New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said.

Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson and Onofri urged organizers to keep the Art All Night event going in the future. They pledged additional security support for the event that has had little problems over its 12-year existence.

“It truly is a showcase event for the city of Trenton,” Onofri said.

“We have their back.”