Teen Fired Shots Near Jersey Shore Boardwalk During July 4th Weekend: Police

WILDWOOD, NJ — A 17-year-old from Camden County is accused of firing gunshots near the Wildwood Boardwalk over the 4th of July weekend, Wildwood police said.

Police heard multiple shots fired near Cedar and Atlantic avenues at about 1 a.m. on July 5, according to a release. Shortly after, officers saw a man with a firearm fleeing on foot.

Officers followed the teen on foot, but he blended in with the boardwalk crowds, police said. While being pursued, the teen dropped the gun on the boardwalk.

The crime scene was cordoned off as Wildwood police were helped by the Cape May County Sheriff's Department in their search for the suspect, police said.

During the search, police found a 9mm Palmetto Dagger handgun with a 17 round ammunition magazine, with one round of ammo in the chamber, officials said. It was discovered in the area of Cedar Avenue and the boardwalk. Officers also collected 16 9mm shell casings from the scene.

Surveillance video showed multiple subjects involved in the shooting, police said. No one was injured.

Later Saturday evening, at about 5:30 p.m., officers saw the suspect on the boardwalk in the area of Spencer Avenue. The teen and three other persons of interest were detained and taken back to police headquarters, police said.

A 17-year-old male from Pennsauken was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree aggravated assault/pointing firearm and fourth-degree high capacity magazine.

Police did not say if the teen was targeting someone. It's unclear what the involvement of the three other people was in the shooting, and police did not say if they were being charged as well.

The teen was taken to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

"Once again, the Wildwood Police Department would like to recognize the efforts of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Cape May County Sheriff’s Department in bringing this hostile incident to a successful conclusion," police said.