Shamir Blunt, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, New Jersey 2021

Jersey City, N.J. - Two Jersey City men were involved in a shootout in the early morning hours of May 23, 2021, in the Grove Street area of Jersey City. Shamir Blunt, 35, and Mark Franklin, 29, are charged by criminal complaint with one count each of being felons in possession of ammunition, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

According to documents filed in this case, the two men were involved in a physical altercation in front of a bodega, which escalated into a shootout. Franklin pulled a gun and fired a shot, and Blunt responded by shooting at him twice from close range. The two men continued to exchange gunshots from across the street, with over 15 shots fired in total. Both men were hit and eventually fled the scene in their cars, before being taken to Jersey City Medical Center.

Police recovered a 9-millimeter shell casing from Franklin's gun inside the bodega, as well as several bullets lodged in parked cars and in windows of nearby businesses. At the time, both Blunt and Franklin had at least one prior felony conviction.

The charges carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Blunt and Franklin made their initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and were detained.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews, with the investigation. She also thanked the Jersey City Police Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Acting Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark. The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent - Shamir Blunt; Exact Criminal Charges - Felon in Possession of Ammunition; City and State - Jersey City, New Jersey; Exact Date - May 23, 2021; Sentence/Outcome - Detained; Dollar Amounts - $250,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-hudson-county-men-charged-roles-jersey-city-shootout