HOWELL – Police have arrested a man in connection with a violent incident that occurred during a concert at GameChanger World, Route 9, Howell, on Nov. 4.
Howell police said that on Nov. 16, Charles F. Connallon, 30, of Hamburg, Sussex County, was arrested and charged with third degree aggravated assault in connection to the assault of security guards at GameChanger World during the Loud Fest concert.
Police said Connallon turned himself in and was released on a summons.
The investigation is ongoing and police said additional arrests are likely. Connallon was identified through tips that were reported through the Howell Police Department’s anonymous tipline, p3tips.com, and corroborated through an investigation.
At 5 p.m. Nov. 4, police officers and ambulances were called to GameChanger World 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. That officer was not working for the police department at the time the events unfolded. Howell police said the 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.
When officers arrived at GameChanger World, they determined that several security guards and attendees had been injured as a result of an assault. Police said the individuals who committed the alleged assaults had apparently fled the scene.
Security guards told the responding officers that a male 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.
