An $8 restaurant tab appears to have been the catalyst for a wild police chase that ended with a fatal shooting of a suspect in Atlantic City.
The Press of Atlantic City reports the events that led to the shooting of Antoquan T. Watson on Thursday began when Watson dined at a Pleasantville restaurant, La Escondida, and didn't have enough cash to cover the bill after two credit cards were rejected.
Watson, 27, of Williamstown, New Jersey was killed following a pursuit that began along Route 40 in Pleasantville, N.J. and made its way through Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Ventnor, N.J. before ending in a hail of bullets near The Walk outdoor outlet mall in downtown Atlantic City, N.J. around 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Pleasantville Police received a call about an armed man at the local restaurant located along the Black Horse Pike. After officers responded, Watson fled in a black SUV, starting the pursuit, according to officials.
During the chase, police say the suspect fired on officers from the window the SUV. Police eventually caught up with him outside the Eddie Bauer store at Atlantic Avenue and Christopher Columbus Boulevard in Atlantic City. That's where the Atlantic City Expressway ends in the center of the city.
After crashing the SUV into bushes outside the store, police say Watson got out of the vehicle and began exchanging gunfire with officers. At least two Pleasantville Police cars were hit as well as several windows in the area, sources say.
Watson was pronounced dead on the scene. His body was removed from the street hours after the deadly pursuit ended.
No officers were hurt.
The Atlantic County prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation.
