Philadelphia Man Sentenced for 2024 Shooting at Bar in Atlantic City

- Carlos Medina-Morales was sentenced to four years in state prison

- He pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault

- Prosecutors say he fired rounds toward an Atlantic City establishment, striking a bystander

Mays Landing, N.J. — A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to four years in state prison for firing rounds at an Atlantic City restaurant after being turned away at the door, striking a bystander in the process.

25-year-old Carlos Medina-Morales was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in June to second-degree aggravated assault. He will serve his sentence under the No Early Release Act and will be supervised on parole for three years upon release.

Denied Entry, Then Opened Fire

According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, during the early morning hours of July 28th, 2024, Atlantic City Police responded to the Cinco de Mayo bar and restaurant on the 2400 block of Atlantic Avenue for a report of a man who had been shot.

Investigators determined that Medina-Morales had been denied entry into the establishment, argued with staff, and made threats before leaving.

As his vehicle drove off, he fired rounds back toward the establishment. One of the rounds struck a bystander, a 31-year-old man from Linwood, who was standing on the corner.

The victim was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center-City Division for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.

The Atlantic City Police Department investigated the shooting.

A walk around the closed Atlantic Club Casino in Atlantic City

Gallery Credit: Chris Coleman

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for WPUR Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com.