A Somers Point man was charged today with murder, in connection with the shooting death of a 26-year-old Absecon man inside a store in Atlantic City last week, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane M. Ruberton announced.
Atlantic City Police responded to the Zumiez store (Tanger Outlets—The Walk) located at 2010 Christopher Columbus Boulevard, around noon on September 1st, after multiple 9-1-1 calls.
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with the New Jersey Transit Police and New Jersey State Police responded and assisted at the scene.
Upon arrival, police found store employee, 26-year-old Christopher Romero, of Absecon, the victim of gunshot wounds.
Located across Christopher Columbus Boulevard inside the White House Black Market store, was Luis A. Maisonet, 55, of Somers Point, also suffering from a gunshot wound.
Both Romero and Maisonet were transported by emergency medical personnel to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Division.
Romero was pronounced dead at the hospital, at 12:47 p.m., while Maisonet remained hospitalized in critical condition.
Further investigation determined that Maisonet entered Zumiez, shot Romero, left the scene, and pointed the handgun at another person before shooting himself inside the White House Black Market store.
Today, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton authorized the following criminal charges against Maisonet:
1. Murder, for purposely or knowingly causing the death of Christopher Romero—a crime of the 1st degree,
2. Aggravated Assault, for knowingly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of life pointing a firearm in the direction of another—a 2nd degree crime,
3. Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose—2nd degree,
4. PossessionofaFirearmbyaConvictedFelon—2nddegree,
5. Possession of a Firearm, while prohibited from doing so pursuant to a prior domestic violence order—3rd degree, and
6. Unlawful Possession of a Handgun without a permit to carry—a 3rd degree crime.
Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Donna M. Taylor set bail on Maisonet at $1,000,000 cash / no 10%.
Atlantic County Major Crimes Unit detectives arrested Maisonet today at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Division, where he remains, guarded by law enforcement officers.
His first appearance in court is scheduled for September 12th at 1 p.m.
A conviction for murder carries a potential sentence of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison for a period of 30 years to life. The potential prison sentence for a 2nd degree conviction is 10-20 years of imprisonment. A 3rd degree conviction carries a potential penalty of 3-5 years.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (609) 909-7666, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-658-TIPS (8477), the anonymous (confidential) tip line 652-1234, or text TIPCOP plus your tip to 274637.
Photo: Google