More information is being released to the public about the fatal shooting that occurred at the Hamilton Mall on Black Friday. The Hamilton Police Department received multiple 911 calls about gunshots being fired just outside the Hamilton Mall in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the day after Thanksgiving. It was around 1:00 a.m. when the still-unidentified suspect walked through the parking lot of Macy’s department store at the mall and began firing gunshots at a group of people. The Hamilton Mall was not open to the public at the time of the shooting, so it is unclear if the victims were waiting outside the Macy’s in anticipation of discount sales later that day. Hamilton police dispatchers could hear screams in the background as the callers pleaded for help. The frightening incident was documented in 911 calls that were recently released by law enforcement in response to a public records request by a local media outlet. One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. The homicide victim was a 21-year-old man who lived in Atlantic City, NJ. The victim’s brother, a 26-year-old AC resident, was also injured during the shooting incident. He was transported to an area hospital, where doctors treated him for a gunshot wound to his leg and stabilized his condition.
Atlantic County detectives investigate Black Friday shooting at Hamilton Mall
Detectives with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as detectives with the Hamilton Police Department, are still actively investigating the Black Friday shooting. At this time, investigators have not been able to determine the identity of the shooter. According to officials, one theory being investigated by detectives is that the Hamilton Mall shooting incident may have had something to do with another fatal shooting incident that occurred on November 30, five days later, at the Woodland condominium complex in Mays Landing, New Jersey. Additionally, investigators are currently looking into the possibility that the suspect may be connected to the fatal shooting that occurred on the Atlantic City Expressway in August 2016. That violent incident left one person dead and five people with significant injuries and resulted in the arrests of six people. If and when law enforcement is able to identify, and capture, the suspect in the fatal shooting at the Hamilton Mall, he would likely face severe penalties. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3 classifies murder as the most serious crime listed in the New Jersey Criminal Code. As a first-degree felony, prison time is mandatory for anyone convicted of murder in NJ. However, unlike other first degree crimes, there is no maximum number of years imposed for a murder conviction – a person convicted of first degree murder can potentially be sentenced to life imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison, with a minimum mandatory punishment of 30 years behind bars. If you have been arrested for murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, or any other violent crime in New Jersey, you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer immediately. The experienced, aggressive South Jersey criminal defense attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC are prepared to help you fight your charges. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.
