Vineland Man Pleads Guilty in Atlantic City Shooting Case
Mays Landing, N.J. — A Vineland man has pleaded guilty to opening fire on an Atlantic City street, firing seven shots near a restaurant, and in a separate case, leading police on a chase before abandoning his passenger and crashing into a backyard.
34-year-old Daniel Becerra entered his plea July 21st.
Seven Shots Outside El Charro
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, just after 4 AM on September 14th, 2025, ShotSpotter picked up gunfire near 2406 Island Avenue in Atlantic City.
Officers arrived to find seven spent 9mm casings, a live round, and what appeared to be blood on the ground. A man identified only as "S.R." was nearby with blood on his face, hand, and lower body.
Investigators Used Surveillance Video to Reconstruct Shooting
Authorities said S.R. had gotten into a physical fight on Turnpike Road around 3:56 AM. The fight broke up, and S.R.'s female companion entered El Charro Restaurant minutes later.
Becerra then ran out of El Charro with two other men before approaching S.R. The group walked back toward Island Avenue together, then S.R. crossed paths again with the men from the earlier fight.
At 4:06 AM, Becerra walked directly toward one of those men. As the man backed away, Becerra raised his arm and fired twice. The man ran toward the intersection of Florida and Fairmount Avenues. Becerra then raised his arm again and fired five more shots. People scattered in every direction.
Told His Passenger to Lie to Police
On February 23, 2025, officials said Hammonton police tried to pull over a black Toyota Highlander.
Becerra, who was driving, refused to stop. The registered owner of the vehicle was his passenger, and she told investigators she repeatedly begged him to pull over. He refused, told her he had warrants, ordered her out of the car, and instructed her to give police a fake name.
After she got out, Becerra drove off, running a red light at Route 30 and Seagrove Avenue before the pursuit was called off. About an hour later, the Highlander turned up crashed in someone's backyard. Becerra was gone.
The passenger was brought to the police station, where she identified Becerra as the driver.
The Plea
Becerra pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree eluding.
He is expected to receive five years in state prison on the weapons charge, with three and a half years before parole eligibility, along with a concurrent seven-year sentence for eluding.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 1st. He remains held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
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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 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
