An Atlantic City man was arrested June 19 after fleeing from an officer while chasing and shooting at another vehicle.
Officer Daniel Kramer was stopped at the traffic signal at Sovereign and Arctic Avenues at 10:04 a.m. when he heard numerous gunshots. At the time of the gunshots, the Sovereign Avenue School was hosting a promotion ceremony outside for students and families.
Following the gunshots, Kramer observed two vehicles driving at a high rate of speed turn off the first block of N. Sovereign Avenue and then north on Montpelier Avenue. Kramer began to pursue the vehicles as it appeared one was chasing the other.
A Dodge Charger being driven by Azir Abdullah, 19, of Atlantic City was in front of Kramer. The second vehicle was in front of Abdullah. Abdullah turned on to Fairmount Avenue and Kramer observed him fire several gunshots at the vehicle in front of him. While driving down Fairmount Avenue, Abdullah sideswiped a parked car. The pursuit continued onto Albany Avenue with Abdullah continuing on Route 40. The other vehicle turned at West End Avenue.
Officer Kramer continued to pursue Abdullah to the Exit 2 on-ramp for the Atlantic City Expressway. Abdullah lost control of his vehicle and crashed. As Abdullah fled from the vehicle, he dropped his handgun, stopped and picked it up, and fled into a wooded area.
A perimeter was established around the area and the Atlantic City Police Department Emergency Response Team along with the NJ State Police's Troop A Field Operations, Aviation and T.E.A.M.S. Units, Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ventnor City Police Department and the Atlantic City Fire Department responded.
At 12:20 p.m., Abdullah was located in the dense brush and taken into custody by members of the department's S.W.A.T. Team. There were no injuries reported. During a search of the area, officers located a handgun magazine.
Detectives are conducting an investigation into occupants of the second vehicle. Route 40 and the Atlantic City Expressway were closed for several hours during the search.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office assisted in the investigation.
Abdullah was charged with aggravated assault, eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon and possession of hollow-point ammunition.
He was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766 or anonymously text to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.
