A Mays Landing man was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday in a Hamilton Township shooting that killed one man and wounded three others.
Matthew Gonzalez, 30, was sentenced to 25 years in the killing of 31-year-old Taufeeq Mitchell on Sept. 24, 2017, in the Brandywood Apartments. Three others were wounded in the shooting.
He also must serve a consecutive 15-year sentence for witness tampering.
“This sentence should send a very clear message to all of those who commit violent crimes in Atlantic County," Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said. "If you think that you will intimidate and threaten witnesses so they won’t testify against you, we will prosecute you and you can tack on another 15 years consecutive to the sentence for your original offense.
"Witness tampering interferes with the integrity of the criminal justice system," he added.
Gonzalez must serve at least 21 years and three months before he is eligible for parole. He has already served about two years and 10 months in prison.
He will be about 48 when he is eligible for parole.
Mitchell, who grew up in Atlantic City's Venice Park, was shot during a fight at the apartment complex. He left behind three biological children and two stepchildren.
"He was very supportive of his children," a loved one told BreakingAC at the time. "The only time he took off was for their football games. He had a smile that could light up a room."
“This conviction and sentencing is a move in the direction of closure for Taufeeq Mitchell‘s family," said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erik Bergman, who prosecuted the case. "I would like to thank the entire ACPO Major Crimes Unit, lead ACPO Detective Patrick Bell and the Township of Hamilton Police Department for their work on this case.”
