In the winter of 2019, the life of 21-year-old Ky'Lee Haynes was tragically cut short in a motel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. On the evening of January 4th, police were called to the Sunset Inn around 8:40 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Inside, they found Haynes with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The investigation into the young man's death quickly led authorities to a
suspect, Avery Bracey, a 36-year-old man from Philadelphia. Investigators were able to identify Bracey based on a description of the gunman at the motel. His arrest by the Atlantic City Police SWAT Team came after a ShotSpotter alert led them to the area of North Florida Avenue, where they found Bracey, who matched the suspect's description. At the time of his arrest, a firearm was found on his person.
Further investigation revealed that the murder of Ky'Lee Haynes was part of a larger crime spree committed by Bracey that night. After the fatal shooting at the Sunset Inn, Bracey was also identified as the shooter in a second, non-fatal shooting on Florida Avenue where another man sustained a leg wound. Additionally, he was accused of entering a Popeyes restaurant, ordering food, and then brandishing a handgun before fleeing the scene. Avery Bracey was subsequently charged with a multitude of offenses, including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and various weapons charges for the events of that evening. In August 2021, a jury convicted Bracey on numerous counts, including aggravated manslaughter and felony murder, in connection with the death of Ky'Lee Haynes.
