From staff reports

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., is asking for prayers in the wake of a mass shooting June 17 during an all-night art fair in Trenton.

“The epidemic of gun violence has struck once again, this time close to home,” Bishop O’Connell said.

“The people of Trenton awoke this morning to the tragic news that 20 of our brothers and sisters – our families, neighbors and friends – were injured during a mass shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning at the city’s ‘All Night Art Festival.’ Once again, we fall to our knees to beg the Almighty to help us end these senseless assaults on innocent life in our communities,” he said.

It was later reported that 22 people were injured and one was killed in the shooting and following melee that broke out around 3 a.m. during the festival in the Roebling Wire Works.  The market is located in the southern part of Trenton, and is very close to several churches serving the Catholic community in the city. The Diocese of Trenton’s mother church, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, is less than 2 miles from the shooting site.

This is the 12th year for the family-friendly event, which typically draws more than 1,000 artists and up to 30,000 patrons.

One of the alleged shooters, Tahaij Wells, 32, was killed during the violence. Wells, a suspected gang member, exchanged gunfire with at least two other suspects, both of whom were hospitalized. One of the two, Amir Armstrong, 23, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. 

Seventeen people in all were shot; five more were injured in their attempt to flee the violence.  

According to local news coverage, authorities reported that fights were breaking out before the shooting, and attempts were made to shut down the market and disperse the crowd. The suspected shooters were among those who continued to loiter, which is when the gunfire began.

Bishop O’Connell stated, “There is no motive . . . that can justify these ongoing, seemingly relentless acts of gun violence plaguing our cities. How many times can our hearts break?”

“We pray for the injured and their families, for comfort and healing. We pray in thanksgiving for the first responders and emergency workers. And we pray for our community here in Trenton that God’s peace and our love for one another might prevail.”