The night was supposed to be a celebration for the Capital City.
Trenton Central High School’s (TCHS)—the top seed at the Mercer County Tournament (MCT)—won the Mercer County Basketball Tournament of Champions against Notre Dame High School 64 to 49. This was TCHS’s first MCT title in 15 years. Antwan Bridgett, Trenton Central High School’s point guard, also scored his 1,000-point career high at the tournament, adding to the sweet taste of victory.
The tournament was held at the Cure Insurance Arena, and I can tell you firsthand hometown pride was at an all-time high that night. I went to show my support for the home team and was cheering as loud as the rest of the crowd for the Tornadoes. One thing that struck me the most that night was the announcement reminding the crowd that the tournament should be held at a high-level of sportsmanship before the game began.
I was disturbed to later find out that 23-year-old, Khalil Glanton, of Trenton, New Jersey was stabbed multiple times inside the arena around 8:30 pm at the Mercer County Tournament of Champions. Glanton was pronounced deceased at Capital Health Regional Medical Center shortly after 9:00 pm. The Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police are still investigating.
Following the tragic event, Trenton Central High School Athletics Department instituted a new policy regarding attending Trenton Central High School athletic events. Moving forward all high school students must have school ID to attend sporting events and Trenton Central High School students must sit in the designated section for TCHS students and anyone that smells and/or is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be denied entrance into the school facility among new rules.
The BIG question we have is how someone with a weapon was allowed entry into the arena. When we reached out to Fran Rodowicz, Cure Insurance Arena’s General Manager, she disclosed, “We are supporting the Trenton Police Department as they investigate the incident that occurred at the venue last evening. Please direct all additional questions to the Trenton PD’s public information officer.”
We expected a more substantive statement about the arena’s security measures to reassure the public of safety at future events.
It’s been reported that there has been video circulating social media involving the stabbing, which makes me question the kind of society we live in that will document someone being brutally attack and not look for security or law enforcement.
So far, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]
