LONG BRANCH, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office says, a social media flyer calling for a ‘pop-up party’ on Saturday resulted in thousands of people converging in Long Branch, creating a public safety emergency that resulted in a 9 p.m. curfew imposed by the city, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced.
A large-scale gathering encouraged by a flyer posted on social media caused thousands of people to arrive in the town of Long Branch, specifically, areas in and around Pier Village. The majority of those people arrived by train. At certain points the crowd was estimated to be several thousand people. A public safety emergency ensued as a result of multiple fights breaking out throughout parts of the city involving the partygoers.
Law enforcement officials from the Long Branch Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), Monmouth and Middlesex Rapid Deployment Forces (RDF), Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Department of Corrections and NJ Transit Police, all responded to the area. One flash bang and the deployment of smoke was used by Department of Corrections officers assisting in limited situations in response to fights taking place and bottles and rocks being thrown where the crowd would not disperse. The vast majority of those present left peacefully after the announcement of the curfew.
“I would like to thank all of our local law enforcement agencies and our state partners for their response to today’s incident. Responding agencies worked in unison to create a swift, professional, and tactical response to what was evolving as a dangerous situation. We appreciate the efforts of Long Branch City Officials issuing tonight’s curfew in response to the public safety situation. Their efforts are to be commended.” Linskey stated.
As of 11:30 p.m. last night after the incident concluded, there were 11 adults and 4 juvenile arrests stemming from the fights that took place. One police vehicle was vandalized, but there were no significant injuries or property damage reported at this time. The person who damaged the police vehicle has been arrested.
Items Posted to TikTok:
A copy of the flier circulated on TikTok
UPDATE of MidJersey.News story from earlier this morning:
May 22, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Public Information Officer, Casey DeBlasio stated that at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2022, Trenton police received three Shot Spotter activations for multiple locations in the 100 block of West Hanover Street. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male lying on the sidewalk suffering a gunshot wound. He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later. The victim has been identified as Ali Abdullah, 25, of Trenton.
While officers were on scene, a second shooting victim arrived at Capital Health Regional Medical Center by private vehicle. The 30-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder area and was taken into surgery. He is currently in stable condition.
The majority of the scene was located on the side of 142 West Hanover Street in the State of New Jersey parking lot. Numerous shell casings were located on the sidewalk next to the location. Two vehicles were parked in the lot, and one had been struck numerous times.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
- 2/15/2022 Antwone Barnes, 37, of Trenton, Stabbing
- 2/23/2022 Leonardo Fernandez, 32, of Trenton, Stabbing
- 3/01/2022 Shimon Nesmith Jr., 19, of Trenton, Shooting
- 3/03/2022 Helen Nelson, 73, of Trenton, Physical Assault
- 3/15/2022 Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
- 3/25/2022 Sequoya Bacon-Jones, 9, of Trenton, Shooting
- 3/31/2022 Tahaad Goss, 16, of Trenton, Shooting
- 4/07/2022 Jaquir Queen, 26, of Willingboro, Shooting
- 4/09/2022 Leroy Davis, 31, of Trenton, Shooting
- 5/01/2022 Jamir McNeil, 25 of Trenton, Shooting
- 5/22/2022 Ali Abdullah, 25, of Trenton, Shooting
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
Trenton Police Investigate Double Shooting On West Hanover Street
May 22, 2022
Update to last night’s story:
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Township Police say that on Saturday, May 21 at approximately 9:20 p.m., a Ewing Police vehicle was involved in a two car motor vehicle crash in the 1600 block of Olden Avenue. Preliminary investigation has indicated that the driver of the second vehicle made an illegal turn into the path of the Ewing officer. The officer was not responding to an emergency at the time of the crash. Two parties were transported to local hospitals with complaints of pain. The Ewing officer was also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and was later released. Investigation is still underway at this time and anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the investigating officer, Sgt. Vagnozzi at 609-882-1313.
UPDATE:
May 22, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Trenton Police Spokesperson, Detective Lieutenant Bethesda Stokes stated that at 1:02 a.m. Police responded to 153 W. Hanover Street for a Shot Spotter activation. When police arrived they located a black male not breathing on the side of 142 W. Hanover Street. Trenton Police started CPR, Trenton Firefighters, TEMS and Capital Health Paramedics arrived and took over CPR. The person was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center and a “trauma alert” was called en route to the hospital. Police also located a second victim shot in the shoulder and also transported to the hospital. Police found numerous shell casings at the scene during the continuing investigation. Anyone with any information related to the shooting is asked to contact Trenton Police Department.
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News