19-year-old Arrested in Connection to January Shooting in Atlantic City, NJ

Officials in Atlantic City say a man wanted in connection to a shooting in the city last month is now off of the streets.

Details

• The shooting happened in the early morning hours of January 13th in the 3900 block of Ventnor Avenue
• At the scene, officers located a 20-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound
• The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center-City Division

An investigation by the Atlantic City Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit led to the identification of 19-year-old Ivan Tinitigan of Atlantic City as a suspect.

Taken into custody

This past Tuesday night, two ACPD officers observed a vehicle parked at Dover and Ventnor Avenues; they were aware that Tinitigan was known to operate that vehicle.

As the officers continued to observe the vehicle, they witnessed three individuals exit a convenience store, located in the 3900 block of Ventnor Avenue, and enter the vehicle. The officers initiated a car stop and located Tinitigan sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle with two additional males in the rear. Tinitigan was immediately taken into custody without incident.

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The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Eliu Mejia of Pleasantville,

retreated back into the store upon seeing the officers in an effort to escape. He was subsequently located in the rear of the store attempting to hide from police. Mejia was ultimately taken into custody without incident . . . .  A search of the immediate area resulted in the recovery of a handgun that was stashed in a toilet tank of a small bathroom, immediately adjacent to where Mejia was located.

Charges

• Tinitigan was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
• Mejia was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and tampering with evidence

Both were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.