“Someone knows.” Police, prosecutors, family of NC homicide victim plead for help
Police, prosecutors and the family of Gastonia homicide victim John Luke Moore gathered at police headquarters Wednesday to plead with the public for information in the 2021 case.
“John Luke deserves justice,” Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page said at a news conference. “His family deserves justice. This community deserves justice.”
Moore, 32, was shot and killed during a home invasion on July 26, 2021. He was a barber and father of a teenage son.
In July, police released video footage in which three people break through the door of Moore’s home on Allison Avenue.
Monday, Gov. Josh Stein said the person who provides information leading to an arrest could receive $25,000 and provide Moore’s family closure. A $9,000 reward was already being offered, so the total reward stands at $34,000.
“We’re hoping that this increased reward will encourage someone to come forward and do the right thing,” Gastonia Assistant Police Chief Nancy Brogdon said. “We know there’s someone out there in the community that knows something, and we really need to hear from them.”
“We stand with the Moore family in their request for justice and answers for this unsolved homicide,” Brogdon said.
“A life-giving, happy person”
Moore’s family also spoke at the news conference.
“John Luke was such a life-giving, such a happy person that you could not be in his presence and not feel joy,” aunt Laurette Avery said.
“So I can’t even explain how someone could do such a senseless thing to such a full-of-life, live-giving person,” she said.
Stephan Moore, John Moore’s brother, said he’s grateful to the police detectives who continue to work the case.
“As a family, our hearts still ache as they did in the summer of 2021,” he said. “We’re missing our loved one. To the three individuals who entered that home — he, she or they — come forward and take this burden off of your shoulders.
“Provide us with answers and clarity,” Stephan Moore said. “Allow us to have some restful and easy nights. That’s all we’re asking you to do, to allow justice to prevail.”
If you have information
Call the Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6890, the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500 or the Crime Stoppers of Gaston County anonymous tips line at 704-861-8000.
The Gaston County homicide family support group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at First Baptist Church of Gastonia, 2650 Union Road, Gastonia.