Atlantic City Man Convicted For The 2021 Fatal Shooting Inside Local Hotel

Saturday, June 28, 2025, 7:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ.- On Friday, June 27, 2025, following a trial before the Honorable Jorge Coombs, in Atlantic County Superior Court, a jury found Umar Abdullah, 49, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, guilty in connection with the 2021 shooting death of Mark Wright, 35, inside a hotel in the Ducktown neighborhood in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

     According to Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds, on Friday, following a four-day trial, the jury found Abdullah guilty of first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. In addition, Abdullah was immediately convicted of first-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon; and second-degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons.

     Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Coombs accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2025. At that time, Abdullah faces up to life in New Jersey State Prison.

Conviction Stems From An Investigation An Five Week Manhunt

     The conviction stems from an investigation that began on October 10, 2021, when shortly before 4:00 a.m., members of the Atlantic City Police Department and Detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office responded to a report of a man being shot at the Cassino Hotel located at 28 South Georgia Avenue in the Ducktown neighborhood in Atlantic City.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers and Detectives found Mark Wright, 35, of Atlantic City, suffering from three gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by Responding Police Officers and Paramedics, Mr. Wright succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit recovered hotel video camera footage that showed Abdullah exit his apartment on the second floor with a handgun and fire four shots at Mr. Wright, striking three times, before fleeing the hotel. Detectives further determined that Abdullah and Wright lived across the hall from each other in the Cassino Hotel. Following being identified as the shooter, a warrant was issued for Abdullah’s arrest.

     Following a five-week search, Abdullah was located and taken into custody at a residence in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, and formally charged with the murder of Mr. Wright.