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Azair Wilson, 19, was sentenced on Tuesday, Dec. 17 to 12 years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the killing of 18-year-old Tamaj Bennett, also from Atlantic City.
Prosecutors said Wilson's plea deal recommended an 18-year sentence but the judge decided to reduce the sentence by six years. After his release, Wilson will have five years of parole supervision.
City police responded to a shooting report on the 1400 block of Atlantic Avenue at around 3:33 a.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Officers found Bennett suffering from about 13 gunshot wounds and he was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said Bennett was seen being dropped off outside a convenience store and briefly acknowledged a group of males standing outside. Wilson then shot at Bennett, who ran into the store for safety.
Wilson followed Bennett and continued firing at Bennett before leaving the scene. Wilson was a fugitive until he was arrested in College Park, Georgia, on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Wilson must serve more than 10 years before being eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act.
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