Gunshot Fired, Police Officers Are Injured In Atlantic City, NJ

Two Atlantic City, New Jersey Police Officers have been injured under wild circumstances.

The two Atlantic City Police Officers were injured when a man fired a gunshot and then intentionally drove his vehicle into their occupied police car.

Two Atlantic City Police Officers Were Taken To The Hospital

Atlantic City Police Officers Bayron Zelaya-Chavez and Ivaylo Penchev were transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division. They were treated and their injuries are reported to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Atlantic City Police Department Reveals These Details

On June 29, 2025 at 3:11 AM, Detective Moustafa Maarouf and Julian Monsalve heard a gunshot come from the area of the 200 block of Turnpike Road. The officers immediately headed towards the direction of the gunshot. As the officers began to investigate, a concerned citizen told them that there was a man with a gun getting into a vehicle.

Suspect Makes Aggressive Move Toward Atlantic City Police Officers

The driver of the vehicle was John Melendez, who made a U-turn and drove towards the police officers.

The police officers shouted for Melendez to stop. Instead he kept heading toward the police officers at a high rate of speed.

Melendez next turned onto Florida Avenue. Officers Bayron Zelaya-Chavez and Ivaylo Penchev were in their marked police patrol car. Melendez proceeded at a high rate of speed toward the police officer's and crashed into their patrol car, causing injuries to both police officers.

Stolen Handgun

Suspect Melendez was taken into custody and a loaded handgun was recovered on the floor board of his car.

The Atlantic City Police Department have learned that the handgun was previously reported stolen from Atlanta, Georgia.

The Atlantic City Police also collected evidence of gunfire near the location where the vehicle was parked before it took off at a high rate of speed.

ARRESTED:

John Melendez, 25 years old from Millville, New Jersey.

CHARGES:

• Unlawful possession of a weapon.
• possession of a weapon for an unlawtul purpose.
• eluding, aggravated assault on a police officer (four counts).
• receiving stolen property.
• resisting arrest.
• obstruction of justice.

If you have information about this incident, you may contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at (609) 347-5766 or you can submit a text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Please begin your text with ACPD.

SOURCE: Atlantic City Police Department.