Two men are behind bars in the killing of a Mays Landing man inside an Atlantic City market, BreakingAC has learned.
Malae Johnson, 19, was shot Sept. 25, inside the Pacific Food Mart at 1009 Pacific Ave.
Johnson was the target of the shooting, which also wounded a bystander, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy said during a detention hearing Monday.
Malik Galloway arrived at the store in a minivan driven by Laquan Rex, surveillance video shows, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC. Galloway goes inside the store and, later, Johnson is seen walking passed the parked vehicle and into the store.
Galloway then comes out and sits inside the minivan with Rex for about a minute, the affidavit states. Galloway then goes back inside with his gun drawn and fires at least three rounds in Johnson’s direction.
Galloway runs back into the van, with Rex speeding off before the door even closes, the affidavit states.
“The facts of the case themselves are fairly heinous and violent,” Levy said. “They pull up to a convenience store, and happen to see somebody they decide they don’t like, then they quickly plan to shoot that person.
“The biggest problem is, they shoot indiscriminately in a crowded convenience store,” he added.
The other victim is not mentioned in the affidavit. But Levy told the judge Monday that there would be an attempted murder indictment for Galloway as a result.
Rex had to be moved after being the target of threats since his Dec. 4 arrest, the judge said, citing information filed by defense attorney John Morris.
It was not clear where he was moved, but Rex is still listed as being in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
“This is gang-related or somewhat gang-related or somewhat retaliation-related,” Superior Court Judge William Miller said during Rex’s detention hearing Monday.
Rex, 30, has been living in Atlanta. It was not clear why he was in the area, where he previously lived and has been arrested.
Galloway, 31, was arrested in Oct. 21, according to jail records.
In November, the Atlantic City man was moved to South Woods State Prison for violation of his parole. He had just been released in June after serving almost six years on several charges, including aggravated assault, records show.
It was not clear why the arrests were not previously made public.
