In the late hours of a warm August night, the life of a promising young man, 19-year-old Lorvens Florestal, a Black male, was tragically cut short in a burst of senseless violence in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina. A freshman and a walk-on defensive end for the Charleston Southern University football team, Florestal was not the intended target of the gunfire that erupted on August 29, 2021.
He was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of a dispute that had nothing to do with him. Two other individuals were also wounded in the shooting, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Lorvens was the son of Haitian immigrants and dreamed of a career in professional football. His coaches and teammates described him as a hardworking and dedicated individual, both on and off the field. He was known for his positive attitude and infectious smile. His death sent shockwaves through the Charleston Southern University community and his hometown, where he was remembered as a beacon of hope and an inspiration to his peers.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Charleston Police Department launched an intensive investigation. For a time, the case remained unsolved, with no suspects publicly identified. The lack of answers was a source of ongoing pain for Florestal's family and friends. However, investigators continued to work the case, eventually leading them to a breakthrough.
The investigation ultimately identified Andre Bernard Moore as the individual responsible for the shooting. In a significant development in the pursuit of justice, Moore was arrested and charged in connection with Lorvens Florestal's death. In October of 2025, Andre Bernard Moore appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Following his guilty plea, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
