By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Tuesday, April 29, Hakim A. Clark, 34, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Donna M. Taylor, J.S.C., to second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, and fourth-degree obstruction.
Under the terms of his guilty plea, Clark is expected to be sentenced to an aggregate term of six years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires an 85% period of parole ineligibility concurrent to eight years New Jersey State Prison, with a five-year period of parole ineligibility, ACPO officials say. 
According to Atlantic County officials, on February 25, 2024, officers from the Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) responded to a ShotSpotter alert and a 911 call in reference to gunshots in the area of Sovereign and Fairmount Avenues, the location of Proud Mary’s bar.
During the review of surveillance footage, Atlantic County authorities said that a male who was ultimately identified as Hakim Clark was observed going in and out of Proud Mary’s several times and playing pool prior to the incident. Clark is observed running south on Sovereign Avenue.
ACPO officials stated that Clark is observed pulling his right arm out of his vest pocket, and raising his right arm, and a bright light consistent with muzzle flash is observed emitting from his extended arm. As Clark fired, several individuals ducked down and appeared to take cover.
According to Atlantic County officials, on March 8, 2024, ACPD patrol units observed Clark. When police approached Clark outside of 100 S. North Carolina Avenue and advised him he was being detained, Clark gave a false name. When additional units arrived, officers attempted to place Clark in custody, but he resisted arrest.
After a lengthy struggle, law enforcement was able to place Clark in custody. A search incident to arrest led to the discovery of a handgun, loaded with two rounds of hollow-point ammunition, ACPO authorities say. The handgun was later determined to have been stolen from North Carolina.
In addition, ten pills believed to be ecstasy were located in Clark's pocket. The handgun was sent to the New Jersey State Lab for ballistic testing, which confirmed that the handgun recovered from Clark was used in the shooting that occurred on February 25, 2024, Atlantic County officials said.
Clark also has a prior record that makes him prohibited from possessing firearms, ACPO officials stated
ACPO authorities stated these cases were investigated by the Atlantic City Violent Crimes Unit with assistance from the patrol unit and prosecuted by the Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Clark also pleaded guilty to third-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The charges stem from an incident on January 21, 2021, in Atlantic City, where the ACPD Special Investigation Section executed a search warrant at 145 S. Ocean Avenue, Apt. 9, in reference to narcotics distribution on the property, Atlantic County officials said. Clark was one of the occupants of the room where police located suspected cocaine, a small digital scale, over $1,900.00 in U.S. currency, and two rounds of ball ammunition.
He additionally pleaded guilty to fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, specifically a shank, which he possessed while he was detained at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, ACPO authorities said.
According to Atlantic County officials, he remains held in jail pending sentencing.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2025.