Revealed: Gunman who opened fire on festival-goers before cops shot him dead was a gang member on early release from prison having been convicted of MURDER
- WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
- Tahaji Wells, 33, was one of the suspects in early morning shooting in Trenton that left 22 people injured, including 17 with gun shot wounds
- Wells was on early prison release for murder, as well as an additional sentence handed to him during incarceration for aiding Bloods gang actives in prison
- Wells was killed by police, second suspect, Amir Armstrong, 23, is in the hospital in stable condition and a third suspect remains in critical
- A boy, 13, was among the victims- he was in critical but was upgraded to stable
- Governor Phil Murphy called for stricter gun laws federally after just having passed some of the strictest gun laws in the country for his state last week
- In the clip of the carnage, on of the suspected gunmen is seen on the ground bleeding heavily and trying to roll around
- The shooting began around 2.45am on Sunday at a community cultural festival in Trenton, New Jersey
- The shooting did not appear to be a targeted event but rather a dispute that eventually led to an exchange of gunfire with police.
By Jessica Finn and Mary Kekatos For Dailymail.com
Published: 10:46 EDT, 18 June 2018 | Updated: 17:25 EDT, 18 June 2018
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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
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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
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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)
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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.