A shooting near Trenton’s City Hall wounded a man in the early morning hours of July 5 during Fourth of July celebrations across the street from a smoke shop and restaurant, NJ Weedman’s Joint, run by marijuana activist Ed Forchion.
A 25-year-old Trenton man suffered two wounds to his leg during the 2:20 a.m. gunfire, which sent a large crowd of people running from the scene, a Trenton police spokesperson said.
The department’s gunfire-detection system recorded 12 shots in the area of the shooting, the spokesperson said. The crime remained under investigation Monday with no arrests or charges.
Hundreds of people had gathered on East State Street, police said.
Some were there to patronize the Joint, but many just to hang out and party, Joint owner Ed “NJ Weedman” Forchion acknowledged Monday. Most never entered his place, he said, which he added has good security and no problems.
Outside, though, is a different story, he said.
The crowds that gather have him concerned, Forchion told NJ Advance Media on Monday.
“I never would have thought this would have been a problem, but it is a problem,” he said.
Many in the crowd, Forchion said, simply do not enter the business, but are drawn to the block to socialize – and a few to cause problems, and fight.
“They never come in here,” he said. “Everyone’s pointing the finger at me, and there’s nothing I can do.”
Forchion said some people take out food and eat on City Hall steps. He’s even seen people bring lawn chairs to set up near City Hall.
In April, a man was killed in a shooting on City Hall property after leaving the Joint.
Forchion said he suspects some will want him to shut down, but he does not believe that is the answer. “I have bills and staff. I have ten to 12 people who work for me.”
Forchion said he fears his business will be somehow labeled a nuisance. “But I have no problems inside.”
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said the crowds, which originate from across the street from City Hall, are currently a police matter. “We have stepped up patrols. We will arrest anyone causing a disturbance,” he said.
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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
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