VENTNOR – Just days after the Ventnor Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance requiring property owners to obtain a license to rent their homes on a short-term basis, the commissioner’s worst fears were realized.
On Tuesday, Jan. 1, police responded to the Vassar Square Avenue beach block for the report of shots fired. Police arrived at 3:17 a.m. to find a large crowd and a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim, a 26-year-old man from Hillside, Union County, was attending a party at the residence when an argument ensued and gun shots were fired. Members of the Ventnor City Fire Department and AtlantiCare Paramedics transported the victim AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Division Trauma Unit.
According to a release issued by Lt. Joe Fussner, the man is in stable condition.
Fussner said the incident was contained to the area and residents were not in any danger.
No arrests have been made as the Ventnor City Police Department Detective Bureau continues its investigation.
In a post on the Police Department Facebook page, Police Chief Douglas Biagi confirmed that no Ventnor residents were involved in the shooting. He said those involved were attendees at a party at an Airbnb rental property.
City officials approved the licensing ordinance on Dec. 27 in an effort to track short-term rentals, some of which result in over-crowding, noise or other complaints to police. The ordinance states a property owner could have their license to lease the property revoked if problems with tenants persist.
The Atlantic City and Margate City Police Departments and the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit provided assistance at the scene.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Ventnor City Police Department at 609-822-2101.
