Back in late January, a masked fascist attempted to attack an anti-racist hardcore punk show held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park, NJ. The show was a benefit show to raise funds for Daryle Lamont Jenkins, a long-standing NJ anti-fascist who runs One People’s Project. Towards the end of the night during the last act, the fascist, wearing a black balaclava, pulled up in a light gray Honda CRV and threw two smoke bombs at a crowd sitting outside outside the church. The fascist was by himself, and witnesses reported he got out of the driver’s seat and ran around his car before throwing the smoke bombs and getting back in and speeding off. He later returned in the same light gray Honda CRV as the event crew was cleaning up and attempted to mace them while screaming “White Lives Matter”, specifically referencing the local NJ chapter of the racist far right group. While the fascist was unsuccessful in injuring anyone and was unable to shut down or meaningfully disrupt the event, those that witnessed the attack found the attack bizarre and alarming. The attack was later reported by Trinity Episcopal Church officials who contacted the Asbury Park Police Department.
As of March 6, 2023, the masked fascist has since been revealed as Nicholas G. Mucci, of Toms River, NJ. While reporting anyone to the state, whether a fascist or not, is a serious ethical issue to anti-fascists, it’s easy to see why and how Mucci was scooped up so quickly.
Mucci had driven his mom’s light gray Honda CRV, repeatedly around the event over the course of the night, and it was caught on a license plate reader shortly after one of the attempted attacks. This made it incredibly easy for him to be identified by the state, but not enough to be arrested for the actual attack.
After Trinity Episcopal Church reported the incident to the state, state agents collected evidence at the church, including the two spent smoke bomb cartridges, and were able to trace the smoke bombs to a fireworks vendor in Pennsylvania. The smoke bombs were quickly identified as being purchased by Mucci in October 2022, as he had to scan his driver’s license to make the purchase.
It’s unclear at this time whether or not Mucci had planned the attack in advance, or if he just simply used what he had on hand and decided to attack the event on a whim. Either way, it’s clear that Mucci was incredibly sloppy, and made the state’s job easy for them.
Mucci was arrested on March 5, 2023, shortly after participating in a recent fascist rally in Toms River by Asbury Park police in collaboration with the NJ FBI and NJ Department of Homeland Security. The rally was hosted by the New Jersey chapter of White Lives Matter, New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA), Garden State Nationalist Club, Embrace Struggle Active Club, and the National Socialist Youth Association (also known as ϟ14) at an unannounced pop-up action in downtown Toms River during the annual Toms River Irish Festival.
Mucci has been 100% confirmed to have been in attendance by a reliable source, and attended the event covertly as to not be identified. Mucci was also notably joined by NJEHA leader Dan D’Ambly and Ron Sheehy, further solidifying the connection between several prominent fascists and their respective organizations in the region. Given Mucci’s actions and connections, it can be confirmed that he is a member of the White Lives Matter New Jersey chapter, and is friends/works regularly with Dan D’Ambly. His official membership to other neo-nazi and fascist organizations cannot be confirmed at this time, however, it is incredibly likely he has official membership in other groups.
More surprisingly however, are the charges that the state is leveling against Mucci, undoubtedly levied against him as a poor attempt by the state to show are against fascism and racism.
The state is by far the largest purveyor of fascism and racism, and stands to benefit from the sacrificial arrest and eventual indictment of Mucci. Additionally, this can also be seen as a long-game intimidation tactic against radicals, as the state often pursues and represses anarchists and other radicals more intensely than the far right.
After his arrest on March 5, 2023, Mucci was placed in county detention, pending an arraignment hearing on March 6, 2023.
Mucci will be given a date soon for a detainment hearing, in order to determine whether or not he will be released on his own recognizance pending trial. If not, he will be remanded to the county jail until his set trail date.
Regardless if he is remanded or not, Mucci is considered a danger to marginalized people and those who stand in solidarity with marginalized communities.
The following information is being released as Nicholas Mucci poses a threat to marginalized individuals and the community at large:
Nicholas G. Mucci is 28 years old with long brown hair and a patchy beard. He currently lives with his mother in Toms River, NJ.
Send tips and information: njhatewatch@protonmail.com