A state Grand Jury on Wednesday indicted an alleged white supremacist from Toms River on charges he tossed smoke bombs and pepper-sprayed attendees of an anti-racism concert held at an Asbury Park church in January. Nicholas G. Mucci, 28, was indicted on charges of aggravated arson, plus multiple counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of a large capacity magazine, and weapons possession. Mucci has been held in the Monmouth County Jail since his arrest in March, and now awaits arraignment and a detention hearing on the indictment handed down on Wednesday. He is accused of attacking concert-goers with smoke bombs and pepper spray as they were leaving Trinity Episcopal Parish in Asbury Park on the evening of Jan. 27, the attorney general’s office said. The concert was organized by One People’s Project, a ground that bills itself as a social justice organization dedicated to fighting racism. “The rich diversity of cultures, religions, and ideals in New Jersey is one of our State’s greatest strengths and what had brought celebrants to Trinity Parish at the time of the alleged attack,” said First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay V. Ruotolo. “This indictment demonstrates our commitment to protecting members of the community and enforcing the rights of all New Jerseyans to live free from the threat of violence and fear.” According to charges filed in the case, Mucci arrived at the church around 9 p.m. wearing a black face covering, and allegedly yelled “white lives matter” and hurled three smoke bombs toward the church and into the crowd. Nicholas G. Mucci, 28, of Toms River, was wearing a black face covering at around 9 p.m. Jan. 27 when he blocked people from leaving an anti-racism concert at Trinity Church on Asbury Avenue and threw two smoke bombs at the crowd, authorities said. He later returned and tried to pepper spray those who attended the concert while yelling “white lives matter,” authorities said. A video showed a vehicle, allegedly driven by Mucci, approaching the church and two items being thrown from the driver’s side. Mucci allegedly then sped away as smoke filled the air, but returned about an hour later. Around 10 p.m, the same vehicle entered the church parking lot where a few concert goers were gathered. Mucci allegedly jumped out of the SUV yelling “white lives matter” and attempted to pepper-spray the group and then left the scene, the attorney general’s office said.
via nj: Alleged white supremacist indicted for smoke bomb attack at anti-racism concert