Man charged in Old City brawl was arrested on gun charges in May

A CAMDEN MAN accused of firing a gun during a street brawl early Sunday in Old City is an alleged gun trafficker facing indictment in New Jersey.

Christopher McRae, 28, was charged with resisting arrest, reckless endangerment and gun offenses for his role in a melee at 2nd and Chestnut streets just after 2 a.m. Sunday.

On May 23, McRae was arrested when he allegedly illegally sold a military-style rifle and other firearms on a Camden street. In that case, New Jersey State Police arrested him for allegedly selling an AK-47 assault rifle, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Hi Point .40-caliber pistol and a Ruger .357-caliber revolver.

He posted bail, and his case will be presented to a state grand jury for possible indictment, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the New Jersey Attorney General. Aseltine and New Jersey State Police declined to release further details.

In the Old City incident, police on patrol at 2nd and Chestnut heard gunfire about 2:20 a.m. and sprinted up the block, where a massive street brawl was under way. As the officers tried to break up the fight, a man pointed out McRae and told the officers: "He shot at me!"

When an officer grabbed McRae, a black handgun tumbled from his waistband and police used a Taser to subdue him, police said. But the shock appeared to have no effect, and he fled on foot, police said.

Officers caught up to him a short distance away and arrested him. He's being held on $300,000 bail and faces a Jan. 29 preliminary hearing, according to court records.

Video posted on YouTube of the brawl - in which some participants attack a car and try to knock out its windows - had about 3,000 views by Monday afternoon.

" @DanaDiFilippo

Blog: phillyconfidential.com