Justice Prevails: Duo Pleads Guilty in Deadly 26-Shot Atlantic City Shootout

In a somber but definitive step towards justice, two Atlantic City men have formally admitted their roles in a brutal September 2021 shootout that claimed the life of Henri Ferrara. Ronald Brown and Nahquil Cromwell entered guilty pleas in Atlantic County Superior Court, bringing a long-awaited resolution to the tragic incident that rocked the community.

The deadly confrontation unfolded on September 1, 2021, on South Carolina Avenue in Atlantic City.

The scene erupted in chaos as an astounding 26 shots were fired, leaving 37-year-old Henri Ferrara dead and several others wounded. The extensive investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department meticulously pieced together the events, culminating in these significant legal admissions.

Ronald Brown, 42, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter.

This plea acknowledges his direct role in Ferrara’s death. Under the terms of his agreement, Brown faces a substantial sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison. Furthermore, his sentence is subject to the stringent No Early Release Act (N.E.R.A.), meaning he must serve 85% of his term before becoming eligible for parole.

Brown also admitted guilt to possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, underscoring the premeditated nature of the armed encounter.

Nahquil Cromwell, 34, also of Atlantic City, entered a guilty plea to second-degree aggravated assault. Evidence revealed that Cromwell fired a weapon during the exchange and was himself shot in the stomach by Ferrara.

For his involvement, Cromwell is slated to receive a 10-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison, also subject to the N.E.R.A. provision. In addition to the assault charge, Cromwell pleaded guilty to both unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, reflecting his illegal carrying and use of a firearm in the fatal incident.

Both men’s pleas represent a significant development in a case that highlighted the stark realities of gun violence in urban communities.

While justice for Henri Ferrara will never truly replace what was lost, these guilty pleas mark an end to the protracted legal battle and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The sentences, once formally imposed, aim to provide a measure of closure for the victim’s family and reinforce the severity of such violent crimes in the eyes of the law.