Shots Fired in Wildwood: 17-Year-Old Arrested in Connection With July 5 Incident

Shots Fired in Wildwood: 17-Year-Old Arrested in Connection With July 5 Incident

A chaotic scene unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, July 5, 2025, when Wildwood Police Officers heard multiple gunshots ring out near Cedar and Atlantic Avenues.

The incident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., led to a dramatic foot chase, an hours-long investigation, and the eventual arrest of a 17-year-old male from Pennsauken, NJ.

According to the Wildwood Police Department, uniformed patrol officers immediately responded to the sound of gunfire and spotted a male suspect armed with a firearm fleeing the scene.

The suspect ran toward the crowded boardwalk, blending in with beachgoers in an attempt to evade capture. During the pursuit, he was seen discarding a handgun directly on the boardwalk.

Authorities quickly secured the area, and officers from the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department assisted in canvassing the vicinity for the suspect.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported in what police are calling a “critical incident.”

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During the search, police recovered a 9mm Palmetto Dagger handgun loaded with a seventeen-round magazine and one round in the chamber.

Investigators from the Wildwood Police Department’s Detective Division and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office collected sixteen 9mm shell casings from the scene.

Surveillance footage obtained from the area revealed multiple individuals believed to be involved in the shooting.

Later that same day, around 5:30 p.m., detectives patrolling the boardwalk near Spencer Avenue spotted the suspect.

He was detained along with three other individuals considered persons of interest. All were transported to police headquarters for further investigation.

As a result, the 17-year-old suspect was charged with several serious offenses, including:

• 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 a Firearm)
• Fourth-degree Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine

The juvenile is currently being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities stress that all charges were filed after a finding of probable cause, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Wildwood Police Department extended its appreciation to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Cape May County Sheriff’s Department for their cooperation and swift assistance, which helped bring the dangerous incident to a resolution.

Wildwood officials have not released the name of the suspect due to his juvenile status. The investigation into the broader circumstances surrounding the shooting remains ongoing.

Thank you to our amazing first responders for their hard work and for keeping us safe year-round.