Two Men Plead Guilty In 2022 Atlantic City Shooting Death

Sunday, September 7, 2025, 11:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ.- According to Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Fuquan Moore, 21, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Oquan Thomas, 21, also of Atlantic City, New Jersey, appeared in Atlantic County Superior Court, and each pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Pamela D’Arcy to first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter for their roles in the December 5, 2022, shooting death of Timothy Council, Jr., 27, of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

     In return for the guilty plea, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend that Moore be sentenced to a term of 15 years in New Jersey State Prison, and Thomas be sentenced to a term of between 16 and 18 years in New Jersey State Prison. Both of the sentences will be subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires both Moore and Thomas to serve 85% of their custodial terms before becoming eligible for parole.

Guilty Plea Stems From December 5, 2022 Fatal Shooting

     The guilty pleas stem from an investigation that began on December 5, 2022, when members of the Atlantic City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at the High Gate Apartment complex located on Absecon Boulevard in the City.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers located Mr. Council on the ground in front of the complex, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to his chest. Mr Council was transported to an area hospital, where, despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Council succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased a short time later. At the time, a post-mortem examination was performed, and the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be a gunshot wound to the chest and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.

Detectives Identify Moore And Thomas

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department determined that Moore, Thomas, and another individual, Mikel Allen, 20, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, fired 26 rounds between the three across Absecon Boulevard in the direction of Mr. Council, ultimately striking and fatally wounding him, before the three fled inside an apartment at Carver Hall.

     Allen was previously involuntarily waived up to adult court, waived indictment, and pleaded guilty on June 9, 2023, to an accusation charging first-degree aggravated manslaughter. On April 17, 2024, Allen was sentenced to the terms of his negotiated plea to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act.