By: Tracie Carter
On July 31, 2023, two individuals from Atlantic City pled guilty to an aggravated assault shooting charge in court.
Kareem Rex, 28, admitted to his involvement in a shooting incident that took place in the early morning hours of May 2022.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.
According to Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds, in light of his guilty plea, the state agreed to recommend a cumulative sentence of eight years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act and the Graves Act.
This means that Rex must serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Upon release, he will be under parole supervision for three years.
Prosecutor Reynolds said K.L., a 16-year-old co-defendant from Atlantic City, also pleaded guilty and received sentencing as an adult on August 1, 2023.
He faced charges of aggravated assault and pointing a firearm at another person.
He was sentenced to three years of incarceration, subject to the No Early Release Act and the Graves Act.
Similar to Rex, he will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole and will be supervised for three years after his release.
According to Prosecutor Reynolds, the incident involved two victims who were subjected to gunfire.
One victim sustained gunshot wounds and required medical attention.
Rex admitted to firing multiple rounds at this victim, and both he and K.L. fled the scene on foot after the shooting.
However, they were later apprehended by the Atlantic City Police Department, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Department's Violent Crimes Unit.
The case was prosecuted by the Juvenile Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and its Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit.