Just a week before his nineteenth birthday, Jabez Moore was a young man known to friends and family for his warmth and thoughtfulness. Nicknamed "Bezlo," he had attended Concord High School in Wilmington, Delaware. His life was cut short just before he could celebrate that milestone, leaving a void for those who remembered the connections and experiences he brought to the world. His memory would be honored at a service at the Ezion Mt.
Carmel United Church and he was laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.
The afternoon of Thursday, October 1, 2026, was shattered by gunfire in Wilmington’s Baynard Village neighborhood. At approximately 4:13 p.m., on the 300 block of West 24th Street, a shooting erupted that left three young men wounded. When Wilmington Police arrived, they found 18-year-old Jabez Moore with critical gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. Two other victims, men aged 19 and 21, were also struck by the gunfire. They were transported to the hospital and were listed in stable condition.
The shooting brought a heavy police presence to the neighborhood, with officers blocking off a section of 24th Street between Washington and Jefferson streets to investigate the scene. Detectives returned the following day, canvassing the area and searching for surveillance footage that might offer clues as to what happened. The incident left residents deeply unsettled. One neighbor, Marvin Spears, told reporters he was considering moving because his wife was terrified by the violence. He noted that just two years prior, such an event would have been unimaginable in their community.
The violence on West 24th Street was part of a larger, troubling trend. According to news reports at the time, while overall violent crime in Wilmington had decreased, shooting incidents had risen by 10 percent and the number of shooting victims had increased by 20 percent that year. With Jabez Moore's death, the city had seen 12 gun-related fatalities in 2026, matching the total for the same period in the previous year. City officials acknowledged the problem, with Councilman Coby Owens stating, "one shooting is too many. And I think we can all agree we have some work to do."
John Cook, the director of the city's Office of Community Safety, explained that the violence was not solely driven by traditional gang or drug turf disputes. He pointed to a "huge uptick in mental health concerns" among young people and conflicts that escalated from social media as contributing factors. The city was implementing a five-pronged approach to address the violence, working with schools, family counseling services, and other agencies.
The investigation into the murder of Jabez Moore was placed under the lead of Wilmington Police Detective Derek Haines. In the days following the shooting, the department released Jabez’s name and asked for the public’s help. However, no suspects have ever been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the triple shooting.
The case remains an open and ongoing investigation. As of the latest available information from October 2026, the questions of who shot Jabez Moore and why remain unanswered. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Derek Haines at (302) 576-3656. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or through their website, Delawarecrimestoppers.com.
