Atlantic City man ordered held in Fourth of July shooting

An Atlantic City man charged with attempted murder was ordered held in jail Monday.

Charles Summers, 19, tearfully denied the charges against him during a detention hearing in the case.

“I’m not what they’re trying to portray me as,” Summers told the judge. “I’m a good kid. I have a son on the way due in two months. I have a good job. This is not me. I’m not what they’re trying to portray me as.”

Summers is accused of shooting a man twice during a large fight in the 1000 block of Sewell Avenue just before 10 p.m. July 4.

Surveillance video showed the victim trying to break up a fight among several women, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Allison Eiselen told the judge.

A witness told police that the victim told the suspect “not to shoot and to leave a female alone,” Eiselen said, reading from the report.

“I don’t give a f---,” the shooter allegedly responded.

The victim walked away with the suspect following him and shooting twice, with a light described as the muzzle flash visible in the video, Eiselen said.

The investigation led to Summers being charged Thursday. He was arrested the same day by Detective Aaron Jones in the first block of South Florida Avenue.

Summers already was on probation from a drug case earlier this year, Eiselen said.

The defense has not seen the surveillance video, attorney John Bjorklund said. He also said the state did not prove murderous intent.

Judge Joseph Levin said that the current information presents a strong case, and proves Summers should be held as he would be a danger to the victim and community.

But he advised the defendant that — as Bjorklund had told him — the decision on detention could be reopened if new information is obtained.

Summers remains in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.