Tamon R. Sykes
VENTNOR – After a three week long investigation, Ventnor Police Thursday, Jan. 24 arrested a Willingboro man in connection with a shooting that left a 26-year-old male from Hillside wounded. The incident occurred on Jan. 1 at a New Year’s Eve party at an Airbnb rental property on the beach block of Vassar Square Avenue.
Detectives in Ventnor City Police Department arrested Tamon R. Sykes, 23, of Willingboro late Thursday evening, according to a release issued by Acting Capt. Joe Fussner. Sykes was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was processed at the Ventnor City Police Department and transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility where he is currently incarcerated.
At 3:17 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, police responded to the Vassar Square Avenue beach block for the report of shots fired. They found 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.
The 26-year-old victim is still hospitalized and recovering in stable condition from injuries sustained in the shooting.
In a post on the Police Department Facebook page, Police Chief Douglas Biagi confirmed those involved were attendees at a party at a one-night Airbnb rental.
A week earlier, city officials approved an ordinance requiring property owners to obtain a mercantile license before they rent their properties on a short-term basis. Officials said the ordinance would allow the city 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 investigation was led by Detective Peter Munizza of the Ventnor City Police Department with the assistance of the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and the Burlington City Police Department.
