Atlantic City Man Sentenced For 2023 Father’s Day Shooting Death

Friday, December 27, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ.- On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Azair Wilson, 19, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, appeared in Atlantic County Superior Court and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Jorge Coombs to twelve years in New Jersey State Prison for his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter, in connection with the shooting death of Tamaj Bennet, 18, also of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

     During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Coombs ordered that the 12-year term be subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Wilson to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole. Judge Coombs deviated from the negotiated plea agreement, which would have required Wilson to be sentenced to 18 years in State Prison.

     According to Atlantic Prosecutor William E. Reynolds, the sentence stems from an incident that began when, on Sunday, June 18, 2023, Father’s Day, members of the Atlantic City Police Department responded to a report of a shooting in the area 1400 Atlantic Avenue in the City.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found Tamaj Bennet suffering from thirteen gunshot wounds. Mr. Bennet was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Wilson Identified During The Investigation

     During the investigation, Video Surveillance footage showed Bennet being dropped off near a convenience store at 1406 Atlantic Avenue. As Bennet walked toward the store, he briefly acknowledged the men standing outside the store when Bennet pulled out a handgun and fired a Bennet. Bennet is seen running into the store with Wilson following him and continuing to shoot Bennet multiple times.

     After the shooting, Wilson fled the area and ultimately fled New Jersey, later being apprehended in College Park, Georgia, before being extradited back to New Jersey.