ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Police in Atlantic City investigating a shots fired incident on Thursday encountered a fugitive wanted for a previous gun possession charge.
According to police, at 12:06 pm, Sergeant Michael Tracy was in the area of Pennsylvania and Arctic Avenues when he heard what he believed to be several gunshots a block away at Pennsylvania and Baltic Avenues.
“Moments later, a ShotSpotter notification alerted to several rounds fired in the area of Pennsylvania and Baltic Avenues. Sergeant Tracy immediately responded. Detectives Eric Evans, Christian Ivanov, and Darrin Lorady, of the Atlantic City Police Department’s Special Investigations Section, were also in the area and responded,” the ACPD sid in a statement. “As detectives began to check the area north of Baltic Avenue, they observed a male, TajMalik Harris, attempting to conceal himself down an alley adjacent to an abandoned church. As the detectives approached Harris, he began to run in a southbound direction back towards the intersection of Pennsylvania and Baltic Avenues.”
As Harris ran, detectives observed him holding an object in his waistband consistent with a pistol. Sergeant Tracy, who was now at the intersection, intercepted Harris and attempted to apprehend him. Harris assaulted Sergeant Tracy and a brief struggle ensued. With assistance from Detective Evans, Harris was ultimately taken into custody.
“During the struggle, a loaded handgun fell from Harris’ waistband. The handgun, a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun loaded with hollow point bullets, is believed to have been used in the earlier shooting,” police reported. “Evidence of gunfire was located at the original shots fired location. Search incident to arrest revealed Harris was in possession of 50 wax folds of suspected heroin and $588 of US currency believed to be proceeds of narcotic sales. At this time, a victim has not come forward and there are no reports of property damage.”