Michael A. Moore, a 13-year-old African American boy from East St. Louis, Illinois, tragically lost his life on December 29, 2019. Michael was found dead outside Mason Clark Middle School, having been shot after 8 p.m. the previous evening near Ridge Avenue and N. 57th Street. The Illinois State Police, who are investigating the case, believe that Michael was shot on the street and then ran towards the school, where he eventually collapsed and died.
This incident is being treated as a targeted attack, although the exact motive remains unclear.
In the aftermath of Michael's death, a 17-year-old named Jason Webb was charged with first-degree murder. Webb, also from East St. Louis, was arrested and is being held on a $1 million bond. The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office filed the charges, but neither the charging documents nor the press release provided a motive for the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are continuing to track down leads to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Michael's death has deeply affected the East St. Louis community, particularly the school district. Although Michael did not attend Mason Clark Middle School, the district released a statement expressing their grief and extending condolences to his family. A memorial with photos and flowers was placed at the scene where Michael was found, and a GoFundMe page was started to help his family with funeral costs.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of violence in the area. The community and law enforcement are working together to seek justice for Michael and to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
