Accounting major Christopher Moore, 20, of Desoto, TX died in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday due to gun shot injuries. Leaving behind his family, friends, loved ones and instructors to mourn his death.
The wake service for Moore will be Friday, April 17, 2009 6 p.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. The funeral service is Saturday, April 18 12:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Dallas.
According to the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune, Moore was transported to Titus Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead by Titus County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Paula Dyke at 3:05 a.m.
After the shooting, a call was made to the Daingerfield Police Department to alert authorities.
“We got a call at about 2:20 a.m., that some shooting occurred at Katdaddy’s club. We are not sure as to what led to the shooting,” Sheriff of Daingerfield Police, Jack Martin said. “There was a fight, and we are continuing to investigate, what led up to the shooting,” Martin said.
Moore’s twin brother Christian recalls what happened the night his brother was killed.
“After the club, fights broke out. Someone shot twice in the air to break up the fight, but people started shooting again,” Christian said.
Once the first two shots were fired, Christian says more shooting occurred.
“Someone starting shooting at people, one girl and three other boys were hit, I’m not sure if they died,” he said.
Moments after gunshots ceased, Christian was aware his brother was not around.
“Me, my older brother and cousins went to look for Chris. We found him lying on the ground. He was breathing a little bit; we tried to give him mouth to mouth but he didn’t make it,” Christian said.
According to Sheriff Martin, numerous officers responded to the incident.
“All available officers in the county responded. Lone Star, Daingerfield, Naples and Omaha officers assisted on scene,” Martin said.
Martin says deputy Ken Thomas and Chief Deputy Vernon Cope of DPD also assisted him at the scene.
“Cope was the officer who, was with Moore at the hospital before the pronouncing of his death,” Martin said.
According to the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune, the sheriff indicated that while no suspects have been named and no weapons recovered, the evidence gathered at the scene is leading investigators to believe that more than one shooter was possibly involved in the incident.
“We think it’s possible that both a rifle and a handgun may have been used in this crime and we’re looking at several individuals as possible suspects,” Martin said.”We’re also waiting for the results of the autopsy that was ordered by judge Dyke, who sent the victims’ body to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science (SWIFS) in Dallas,” Martin said.
Moore was a well-known around campus amongst his friends and instructors.
“Chris was very smart, and known as a smart aleck,” Valencia Johnson a friend of Moore’s said. “Death never takes the wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.”
Moore’s accounting instructor Virginia Fullwood also had fond memories to share concerning Moore.
“I am very sad and very upset, it’s very difficult to get to know someone really well, you become a family,” Fullwood said. “He was a very good student with much potential, and he attended class regularly.”
Though the death of Moore has affected the A&M-Commerce family, they continue to show their support. Dr. Dan Jones released a statement Tuesday, April 14 to faculty.
“It is with deep sadness that I notify the university family of the tragic loss of one of our students. Mr. Christopher Moore, a sophomore accounting major from Desoto, Texas, passed away Saturday April 11. The university flag will fly at half-staff today in memory of Christopher. Christopher was a well-known student, and his loss will be felt by many,” Jones said.
With the shooting death of Christopher Moore, there have been no arrests or any suspects according to Martin.
“No one has been charged or arrested, and the investigation will continue until we attain the person responsible,” said Martin. “We want to get it solved. We are going to get it solved quickly as possible.”