HOWELL – Police are continuing to investigate leads and to pursue suspects following a violent incident that occurred at GameChanger World, Route 9, and sent four security guards to the hospital.
Howell Police Department Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said that as of Nov. 9, the investigation was proceeding and police were developing leads and gathering information.
“We are developing leads based on information being provided by anonymous and identified sources,” Antunez said.
The Loud Fest concert was being held at GameChanger World on Nov. 4. At about 5 p.m., police officers and ambulances were called to the venue on Route 9 south, just south of Strickland Road in Howell.
According to Howell police, the officers responded to assist a Freehold Township police officer who was working at the concert as a security officer.
The Freehold Township police officer was not working for the police department at the time the events unfolded, according to Howell police, who said that officer was dealing with an intoxicated male who was attending the event.
While patrol units were en route to the venue, Howell Police Communications asked for additional Howell officers to respond because there were reports of a fight in progress. Security guards were reported to have been assaulted and several individuals were reported to have been injured, according to police.
When officers arrived at GameChanger World, they determined that several security guards and attendees had been injured as a result of an assault. Medical assistance was requested. Police said the individuals who committed the alleged assaults had apparently fled the scene.
Security guards told the responding officers that a bald white male wearing a black shirt had been “moshing” (dancing) in front of the stage and causing a disturbance during the concert. The security guards said the man was asked to leave the building.
According to police, the security guards said the man did not comply with the request to leave the building and was escorted outside by four security guards. At that time, one security guard was punched in the face and several other individuals joined in and began fighting with the security guards.
Police said the security guards were punched and kicked numerous times. One security guard was able to get away from the fracas and called 911.
Howell police said various security guards sustained one or more of the following injuries: loss of teeth, lip and eye injuries, loss of consciousness, contusions above the ear, rib pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, abrasions, contusions on the back of the head, facial contusions and blurry vision.
The injured individuals were transported to hospitals by the Howell Police EMS and the Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad.
Howell Mayor Theresa Berger referred a reporter’s request for a comment about the incident at GameChanger World to Howell’s director of community development, James Herrman, who did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Anyone with information about the incident may forward it to the Howell Police Department’s Facebook Messenger; to the anonymous tip service at www.p3tips.com; or by contacting Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez at 732-938-4575, ext. 2243, or Patrolwoman Heather Scherbinski at 732-938-4575, ext. 2660.
