ATLANTIC CITY NJ – Police in Atlantic City have arrested a suspect involved in th e shooting of two men Tuesday afternoon in broad daylight.
According to police, at 12:57 PM, patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting and a ShotSpotter alert in the area of the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue.
“Responding officers arrived and located a crime scene and evidence of gunfire but initially did not locate a victim. Moments later, officers were alerted that two male shooting victims, 30 and 34, both of Atlantic City, arrived at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of injuries that are considered non-life threatening,” police said. “An ensuing investigation conducted by officers, detectives, and the Violent Crimes Unit revealed the shooter entered the rear of a three-story dwelling in the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue.”
In response, Atlantic City Emergency Response Team, which includes SWAT, Crisis Negotiation Team, the Mobile Command Post and the Bomb Squad, were activated and arrived at the location to support local patrol officers.
Shortly after, Lieutenant Alexus Zeilinger, who is a crisis negotiator, made contact with the suspect via cellphone.
“After approximately 1 hour of speaking and negotiating with the suspect, Lieutenant Zeilinger was able to convince the shooting suspect, as well as two additional individuals, to surrender peacefully and exit the premises.,” police said. “Three individuals were ultimately taken into custody without incident. The investigation led to a search of the apartment and the retrieval of the handgun believed to have been used in the shooting.”
A 13-year-old juvenile from Atlantic City was arrested and charged.
The juvenile was remanded to Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center. Two individuals that were in the apartment were released without charges.
Interim Officer in Charge James Sarkos stated, “I am proud of the quick response, dedication and teamwork exhibited by the officers of the ACPD who responded to this call and were able to quickly identify and peacefully apprehend the perpetrator of this violent crime.”