Victims file tort claims to sue city in wake of mass shooting
TRENTON » At least three people have filed tort claim notices signifying their intent to sue the city and the police department for the events that unfolded at Art All Night last month.
A Hamilton resident who attended the 24-hour art festival filed a claim stating she was struck in the back by a bullet while running for her life at the Roebling Wire Works factory building in the early morning of June 17. Her claim does not say whether she was shot by police or suspects who engaged in a shootout prior to cops firing their weapons.
A 26-year-old Trenton resident filed a claim stating she was struck by a hit-and-run motorist that morning while fleeing from gunfire. The tort claim says she ran into Dye Street, where she was struck by a car, and that she blames the city for “failure to use due care for the safety of others.”
The claim says the woman suffered a fractured shoulder, fractures on both knees and legs, as well as fractures in her left hand and fingers. Documents also say she now claims permanent disability as a result of the incident. She plans to sue the city for a cool $1 million.
A relative of one of the suspects in the shootout also filed a tort claim against the city and TPD. The mother of Davone White, who prosecutors publicly identified as a suspect in the shootout, filed a claim stating he was shot by police, suffering two gunshot wounds to the back, one to the face and at least one to his leg. White’s claim faults city and police officials for allegedly failing to properly train and supervise officers.
At least 22 people were injured during the shootout, 17 of whom suffered gunshot wounds. Witnesses and prosecutors said the shootout happened as police were shutting down the festival due to numerous fights that occurred throughout that night.
White and suspect Amir Armstrong have been charged with weapons offenses in connection with the shootout. A third suspect, Tahaij Wells, was fatally shot by police during the melee.
Trenton Detectives Eliezer Ramos, Matthew Bledsoe, Michael Cipriano Jr. and Officer Robert Furman III were placed on administrative leave while the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office investigates their use of deadly force.
Law enforcement sources who spoke on condition of anonymity say Furman remains on leave, but the other three cops have returned to regular duty. It’s unclear why Furman has not returned to work.
Use of force reports obtained by this newspaper through a public records request show that Ramos fired approximately eight shots at White because he was allegedly shooting at others.
Cipriano, Bledsoe and Furman fired at Wells, records show, with Bledsoe firing approximately 11 times. The other two cops did not include an estimated amount of times they pulled the trigger on their reports. All three reports say the cops fired at Wells because he was shooting at others.