Atlantic City Teens to Get Prison for Attempted Homicide

The Atlantic City teenagers who admitted firing shots that left a 16-year-old wounded in fall 2011 will be sentenced to at least a decade apiece in prison.

Luis Carmargo, now 19, and Keanan Butcher, now 18, pleaded guilty Friday to attempted homicide and weapons charges, according to information from acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain's office. Sentencing is scheduled for March 14.

Shots rang out on the night of October 27, 2011 outside the High Gate Apartments on Absecon Boulevard. Prosecutors said that Carmargo and Butcher aimed at a group of teens and hit one in the shoulder. The wound was considered non-fatal.

Carmargo and Butcher were below age 18 at the time and were charged as juveniles, but prosecutors succeeded in having the case waived to adult criminal court.

Each will be required to serve 11-1/2 of the combined 15 year sentences for attempted homicide and weapons possession before parole consideration, under New Jersey's No Early Release Act (NERA).

Once released, they'll be subject to five years of parole, prosecutors said.