An Atlantic City man who allegedly fired a gun at another car near an Atlantic City school ceremony was ordered held in jail Thursday.
Azir Abdullah is only 19, but already has two adult convictions and a lengthy juvenile criminal history, Superior Court Judge Sara Beth Johnson said during his detention hearing.
Abdullah now faces aggravated assault, eluding and weapons offenses in the incident that shut down Route 40 and parts of West End Avenue.
Sovereign Avenue School was having an outdoor graduation ceremony when the shots rang out. In video provided to BreakingAC, 17 shots can be clearly heard.
"Very few crimes would pose greater danger to the community than what is being alleged in this matter," Assistant Prosecutor Sean Ruckenstein told the judge in arguing for detention.
Usually, he said, the state would talk about an escalation in criminal activity, "but this is really just a continuation of criminal activity."
Abdullah's juvenile record includes assault, gun possession, receiving stolen property and drug offenses.
He currently is serving a suspended adult sentence for a drug case and escape, after he cut off his bracelet while on electronic monitoring, Ruckenstein said.
The police chase started when Officer Daniel Kramer heard gunfire while stopped at a light at Sovereign and Arctic avenues.
He took off after two speeding vehicles, which included an unidentified car followed by Abdullah's, according to the police report.
Abdullah crashed while trying to get onto the Atlantic City Expressway, and then took off on foot, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
He allegedly dropped a gun and then picked it up while running. He was not found with a weapon, defense attorney Alex Settle told the judge.
Ammunition was recovered during the search, but a gun was not found.
Abdullah has a pending probation violation. His next court appearance is set for Aug. 5, before Johnson.
