Florida Minister shot and killed in mistaken identity case: Police
The victim allegedly told the suspect he had the wrong person
A Florida minister was shot in his car next to his girlfriend by a man who thought the woman was his ex-girlfriend, the West Palm Beach Police said.
The incident took place early Sunday morning when Akeem Moore, 31, a minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, was sitting in the car with his girlfriend Loren Wilder, 30, outside her home after they had just returned from a date, the police said.
Around 12:30 a.m. Hugh Milner showed up in front of the car and allegedly began shouting at the people inside. Milner, 38, is the ex-boyfriend of Wilder's older sister, Shavon Wilder, 39, according to police.
Milner allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the car, according to the criminal complaint. Moore rolled out his window and yelled, "Hey man, this [is] not Shavon," the probable cause affidavit said.
As Moore started his car and began leaving the spot, Milner allegedly opened fire, damaging the vehicle and striking Moore, police said. Moore drove himself and his girlfriend to a nearby fire station and called the police, the probable cause affidavit said.
"Wilder advised that she was in fear of losing Moore, and in fear of losing her sister, because she believed that Milner came to their residence with the intent to kill Shavon," the probable cause affidavit said.
"Wilder further stated that because Milner confused her and Shavon she was in fear of losing her own life when Milner began shooting into the vehicle," the probable cause affidavit added.
Moore succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital later in the morning.
"Akeem should be remembered as a hero even after being shot. He acted selflessly and courageously," West Palm Beach police Chief Tony Araujo said during a news conference Wednesday.
Milner was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Attorney information wasn't immediately available.
Moore's family remembered him as a caring person who always helped others.
"We actually walked the streets to bring people to church and things of that nature. So he's been doing this since he was a kid," said Willie Webb, Moore's uncle, told ABC affiliate WPBF.