Victim In Pahokee Save-A-Lot Shooting Dies

PAHOKEE, Fla. - WPBF.com

Family members of a 23-year-old man who died after he was shot last week at a Pahokee Save-a-Lot said they had recently moved to escape the violence.

"It just makes you feel angry," said Larry Wright, who grew up in Pahokee.

Wright said too many young lives have been lost to "senseless murder."

When fellow resident Gloria Moore told Wright on Wednesday morning that her son, Michael Moore Jr., had been killed, he decided to do something about it. Wright is asking the community to come together to help authorities catch the killer.

"His mom said his life was looking up, and to have him taken like this is just not only a blow to the family, but to the whole community," said Wright.

Moore's father told WPBF 25 News that he had just taken his son to a store to cash his paycheck when they decided to stop at the Save-a-Lot on their way home. Moore Jr. decided to wait in the truck.

Moore said he was inside shopping when he saw several customers panic.

"They say, 'They shooting out there,'" Moore said. "I'm going, like, 'Hey, my kid is in the car.' I run back to the car. I go out the door. He runs and collapses in my arms and he goes, 'Dad, man, I've been shot. I've been shot. I've been shot.'"

Moore ran for help and called 911. He said his son had been shot in the back.

Moore Jr. was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The gunman got away.

Moore said he is urging whoever shot his son to come forward.

"For somebody to sit at that store and know what they saw and (not) come forward, he's no better than the person that shot him," said Moore.

Wright said the people who live in Pahokee are a close-knit group and won't let whoever shot Moore Jr. get away with it.

"It's not a black mark on Pahokee," said Wright. "It's a black mark on people like that who would kill other people just for money. Pahokee is still a great place."

Moore Jr.'s mother said she still can't believe he's gone.

"I get up in the morning, I'm expecting to see him and it just, you know, tears me apart, you know, to know he's not there anymore," said Gloria Williams.

Williams said she wants the person who killed her son to pay.

"Preparing to put him away is just the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," said Williams.

A funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at Camel's Funeral Home in Belle Glade. Moore Jr. will be laid to rest in Port Mayaca.

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