Atlantic City Boxer Charged With Murder

Three days after celebrating his professional boxing debut, an Atlantic City fighter has been charged with murder.

Omar Curry, 24, was charged with the Jan. 17 shooting murder of 32-year-old Nelson Viera on Tuesday, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced Wednesday night.

Curry is charged with homicide, a crime of the first degree; knowingly possessing a firearm with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the person of another, a crime of the second degree; knowingly possessing a handgun without first having obtained a permit, a crime of the second degree; and felony possession of weapon, a crime of the second degree.

Atlantic City Police were alerted of shots fired by the City’s Shot Spotter gunfire detection software around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 17. Police discovered Viera suffering from gunshot wounds near the intersection of Texas and Arctic avenues. Viera was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Viera’s death was ruled a homicide, and a joint investigation by Atlantic City Police and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office led to Curry’s arrest.

Curry was transferred to the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $1 million full bail.

The arrest took place on the 800 block of North Virginia Avenue, three days after Curry made his professional boxing debut, The Press of Atlantic City reports.

Curry battled Marvin Johnson, of Bridgeton, to a four-round draw in a lightweight bout at Bally’s in Atlantic City on Saturday, according to the report. Curry was also arrested on weapons charges in 2010, while he was taking a hiatus from the sport altogether, according to the report.

For more, visit pressofatlanticcity.com.