In a quiet Hazelwood, Missouri neighborhood, a tragic incident unfolded on the evening of April 11, 2023, ending the lives of 63-year-old James Moore and his 70-year-old wife, Norma Moore. James Moore was a Black / African American male. The devastating events began to unfold around 7:30 p.m. when Norma Moore placed a distress call to emergency services, her words conveying a chilling sense of urgency: 'My son... he's got a gun.'.
The dispatchers then heard two gunshots over the open line.
Upon their arrival at the home on Woody Court, Hazelwood police officers were met with a volatile scene. They encountered the couple's 31-year-old son, Joseph Moore, in the street armed with a pistol. Despite commands to drop his weapon, Joseph allegedly fired at an officer. The officer returned fire but did not strike him. In a turn of events, Joseph Moore then reportedly shot himself in the head. He was transported to a local hospital in serious condition but was expected to survive his self-inflicted wound.
Inside the residence, authorities made a grim discovery. The bodies of James and Norma Moore were found, both having succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds. Norma was located in the carport, while James was found just inside the home. Joseph Moore, who lived with his parents, was identified as the primary suspect in the double homicide.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, St. Louis County prosecutors charged Joseph Moore with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. His bail was set at $500,000 cash. While a definitive motive for the killings has not been publicly disclosed, there has been speculation regarding potential mental health issues, as police had previously been called to the residence for related concerns.
