State Fair Meadowlands reopens as scheduled after shooting, 3 arrests

EAST RUTHERFORD — With increased security, bag checks and state police in various locations, the State Fair Meadowlands reopened as scheduled Friday night, less than 24 hours after a shooting led to the arrests of three men.

Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, state police said they responded to reports that several shots had been fired at the fair, which takes place at the MetLife Stadium parking lots in East Rutherford.

The fair's managing director, Michele Tartaglione, said no one was shot or injured.

New Jersey State Trooper Alejandro Goez said three Jersey City men were arrested after Thursday night's incident. After responding to the report of shots fired, troopers discovered two men physically assaulting someone and were arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of a third suspect, Goez said. The cause of the fight remained under investigation.

Matthew Smart, 33, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and obstruction, according to state police. He's being held at Bergen County Jail.

Lamir Bradley, 24, and Robert Terry, 23, were charged with aggravated assault, police said. They were released.

"Right now, we have increase personnel and have enhanced our security measures," Goez said.

One eyewitness, Michael Rosero, said that when he heard the noise he thought it was a balloon popping, but after he saw people running everywhere, he realized that wasn't the case.

Rosero was at the fair with his wife and two children. His wife had to jump off one of the rides with his daughter.

"It was mass chaos. We didn't know what was going on and there were no exits or police," he said. "People were jumping fences and families were getting separated."

After about five minutes, he heard from another fairgoer that shots had been fired into the air as a result of a fight.

The part of the situation that really bothered him was what he called a lack of police presence. Rosero said there was no one checking bags, and there were no metal detectors.

Tartaglione contradicted Rosero's statements. She pointed out a mobile New Jersey State Police barracks on the fairgrounds and said there are 25 officers assigned to the fair as well as 35 other security guards.

She said there are discussions about increasing security for the rest of the fair but was adamant that it is "still a family affair."

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"Officers and people undercover roam the fairgrounds," Tartaglione said.

The fair has anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 visitors a night during its 18-day run, though the higher attendance usually coincides with the July 4 holiday.

There have been no other incidents of this level since she took over in 2003, Tartaglione said.

Since 6 a.m. Friday, the president of the State Fair Meadowlands, Al Dorso, and others have been reviewing all their options when it comes to security. Dorso said he did not think the police presence was an issue.

Dorso said that a gun somehow made it through security and that bag checks weed out any prohibited items.

"We're reviewing all options," Dorso said. "We are talking to MetLife about other security options we may have."

Dorso said there is no talk of shutting down the fair despite the incident.

Some of those in attendance took to social media to share their experiences from Thursday night.

Thursday marked the first night of the State Fair Meadowlands, which runs until July 9.

Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), the senator for the Meadowlands region, said he would be looking to meet with the fair's promoter, the state police and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to address security concerns surrounding the event.

"In recent years, I've heard troubling reports on what goes on at these fairs and if we're able to have such a peaceful, safe environment at sold out concerts or sold out football games, why can't we do that for a fair that attracts about 1,000 people on a weeknight?" Sarlo said.

Extra money might be needed to be spent on security and additional state troopers may be required at the event, Sarlo added, noting that the event is supposed to be a fun family experience.

"I want reassurances from the promoter that they are doing everything possible," Sarlo said. "If they have to pay for more state police, so be it."

The shooting, however, didn't stop Jason Kaufman from coming to the event Friday night with his two sons, Ethan, 12, and Leo, 9. Kaufman thought about the incident, but decided to come anyway, even with the heightened security. 

"I take it for granted, but I'm glad they're here," Kaufman said about the police presence. Kaufman, a Montvale native, wanted to bring his kids to the fair, a place he's enjoyed since he was in his teens. "I get to eat zeppoles. I get to be naughty for a night. I grew up with this stuff."

Other attendees, some of whom have come here for the last few years, noticed a new presence.

"I don't recall previously," said Gina Childs from Jersey City, with her 2-year-old son Derrick about seeing several state troopers near the entrance. "There's been fights before. We knew security would be here. I assumed today, it would be beefed up."

Regardless of the mayhem which occurred Thursday, Childs' friend, Janice Williams, said it was not going to prevent her from coming. With tickets in hand and a slow rainfall, coming to the fair was personal for Williams.

"We've been coming here for a while," Williams said. "It's an annual thing. We try to bring people. You worry about everything. You live your life."