In the evening hours of October 16, 2013, a tragic event unfolded in the Poplar Halls neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, leading to the death of 21-year-old Jontaz Tarell Moore of Chesapeake. The male victim was discovered on Beacon Hill Circle and Halter Lane at approximately 8 p.m., suffering from a gunshot wound. When police arrived, Moore was conscious and able to communicate with the officers.
He was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
Despite being alert when found, Moore's injuries proved to be fatal, and he succumbed to them early the following morning. Investigators believe the shooting occurred during an attempted robbery. Residents in the vicinity reported hearing one or two gunshots and then witnessing one man fleeing down Beacon Hill while another, Moore, was in the street calling out that he had been shot. The area was described by some as being poorly lit, with a vacant lot nearby, which may have contributed to an environment conducive to crime.
In the days following the shooting, the Norfolk Police Department identified a suspect in the case. Warrants were issued for the arrest of 20-year-old Jalil J. Sharpe. The charges against him included robbery, malicious wounding, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Sharpe was described as a 6-foot-4-inch tall male with a thin build, dreadlocks, and a goatee. He was considered armed and dangerous and was known to frequent the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach areas.
A short time later, Jalil Sharpe was located and taken into custody in Norfolk without incident, bringing a swift development to the investigation into the death of Jontaz Tarell Moore.
