An Atlantic City man became the last defendant to plead guilty in a 2016 casino shoot-out between teenaged members of rival gangs.
Taquay Dunston, then 18, was seen on video surveillance firing a handgun into a Trump Taj Mahal hotel room during a party on the 47th floor attended by about 20 teenagers, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said.
The March 24, 2016, dispute was between the Back Maryland-area Head Shot Gang and Fetti-G, which is centered in Stanley Holmes Village, according to an investigation by Atlantic City’s Violent Crimes Unit.
Four gang members were hit during the shoot-out. VCU detectives found four loaded handguns during the investigation: A 9mm semi-automatic, 38-caliber revolver, 40-caliber semi-automatic and .22-caliber revolver.
Dunston, now 21, pleaded guilty last week to aggravated assault, possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm. Under the agreement, he would have to serve consecutive terms totaling 11 years, with six years of parole ineligibility when he is sentenced April 13.
All five who have pled were members of the Head Shot Gang, Tyner said. They oppose both Fetti-G and Pleasantville’s South Side Mob, who recently had several alleged members caught up in a 97-count drugs and guns case.
Quashawn Harris, who was waived up to adult court, is scheduled to be sentenced March 9. Harris, now 18, faces seven years with half ineligible for parole. Because he was 16 at the time of the crime, he will be sent to a juvenile facility.
Saa’lih Davis, now 17, previously pleaded guilty in the Family Part Juvenile Court to possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes, and was sentenced to six years at the Training School for Boys.
Tyzir Hall, now 18, pleaded guilty to possession of a community gun for unlawful purposes in Juvenile Court, and was sentenced to three years at the Training School.
A community gun is one used by different members of the same organization.
Nasir Donaldson, now 20, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault as a juvenile, and was sentenced to 18 months juvenile probation.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at acpo.org/tips and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. Or call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or visit online here. crimestoppersatlantic.com.
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
