Atlantic city man charged after 22-year-old woman shot and killed in apartment
Atlantic City police department patrol car-Atlantic City Police Department

Atlantic City Man Charged After 22-Year-Old Woman Shot and Killed in Apartment

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1 min read
May 2, 2026

Atlantic City, NJ — A 22-year-old woman was found fatally shot inside an Atlantic City apartment, and authorities have now arrested a suspect charged in her death following a week-long investigation. Jaylou Marlenne Pineda Lopez was discovered with a gunshot wound at a residence on Hamilton Avenue, where she was later pronounced dead.

The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, inside Apartment D at 2202 Hamilton Avenue, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Arrest made days after fatal shooting

Investigators identified Franklin J. Felipe De La Paz, 26, of Atlantic City, as a suspect in the case. Charges were authorized on Wednesday, April 29, including aggravated manslaughter and possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine.

He was taken into custody the following day in Pleasantville during a coordinated operation involving the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Atlantic City Police Department, Pleasantville Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Multi-agency investigation into apartment shooting

Authorities say the investigation began immediately after officers responded to the shooting call and discovered the victim inside the apartment. Detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office worked alongside Atlantic City police to piece together the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Officials have not released details about the relationship between the victim and the suspect or what led to the shooting.

Key Points
• 22-year-old woman fatally shot inside Atlantic City apartment on April 22
• Franklin Felipe De La Paz, 26, arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter
• Suspect captured in Pleasantville during multi-agency operation

Case remains active as details emerge

Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and determine the full circumstances of the incident.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case or other serious crimes to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit or submit anonymous tips online or through Crime Stoppers.

What happens next

Felipe De La Paz remains in custody as the case moves through the court system. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details may be released as prosecutors continue to build the case.

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