A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to shooting a person in the stomach while they were playing a game of dice at the Jersey Shore three years ago, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Back on Sept. 21, 2022, officers with the Atlantic City Police Department were called to the 100 block of North South Carolina Avenue just after 4 p.m. for reports of a shooting, officials said.
Once officers got to the scene, they found a person who had a gunshot wound to their stomach, police said.
While reviewing surveillance video, investigators saw a group of men playing a game of dice in the courtyard of a housing complex, police explained. A man, identified as Ibn Demps, 26, was seen on video at one point pulling out a gun and shooting a person close to him in the stomach.
Police took Demps into custody on Dec. 9, 2022, inside the home where he was seen on camera running into while escaping the shooting scene, according to officials. While inside the house, officers found a gun.
That gun found inside the house was tested by the State Police ballistics lab and was found to match the gun used to shoot the victim, officials said.
On Monday, Aug. 4, Demps pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and to certain persons not to possess weapons, officials explained. He is expected to face eight years in state prison and then three years of parole supervision.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Demps was supposed to go to a Recovery Court, used to provide treatment and help for anyone considered a nonviolent offender with substance abuse issues, but he did not show up that day.
Demps was charged with a violation for missing the Recovery Court session, so he is expected to get a concurrent term in state prison.
Also, Demps pleaded guilty to shooting a handgun at a gun range in November 2022 after he lied on forms denying that he was convicted felon, officials said.
Demps remains in jail as he waits for his sentencing later this month.