Authorities in Newark are investgiating a violent outbreak that occurred at a skating rink in Newark's North Ward on Friday night.
According to preliminary reports, Essex County Sheriff's officers requested mutual assistance from several police agencies after multiple fights began to break out at a family night event that was hosted by a local DJ.
The event, heavily advertised on social media sites, featured popular local DJ Little Man and began at around 7 p.m. where crowds reached well over 500 people according to reports.
Officials have not responded to initial requests for public information but police began to disperse several groups that engaged in a physical confrontation which included punching, pushing and kicking each other on the outside of the skating rink.
Cops on the scene radioed for assistance when the incident escalated and reports of shots fired were heard in the vicinity of the skating rink according to preliminary reports.
A large contingent of police officers closed off a portion of the park leading to the skating rink and continued to move along crowds that lingered in the area while they searched for shell casings and weapons on the grounds of the skating rink.
Hundreds of people were observed on video running from the scene after sounds of gunfire rang out near the Branch Brook Park skating rink.
There were no serious injuries immediately reported.