West Palm Beach Police Chief Antonio Araujo held a press conference on Sunday, Sept. 27, to brief the community on the investigation into the fatal shooting of Akeem Moore, a 31‑year‑old pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Incident overview
According to Chief Araujo, Moore was driving a parked vehicle on the 500 block of Ontario Place with a passenger when 38‑year‑old Hugh E. Milner Jr. approached the passenger side at about 12:30 a.m. Milner Jr. began striking the vehicle, then drew a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the occupants.
Moore lowered the passenger window and told Milner Jr. that they were not the people he was looking for. He then reversed the vehicle in an attempt to flee. Milner Jr. fired at the passenger‑side headlight and continued shooting as Moore drove north on Ontario Place. Blood was later observed on Moore’s back.
Moore’s actions and response
Despite being wounded, Moore kept the vehicle moving and called 911 while heading toward West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Station 5. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Chief Araujo praised Moore’s courage, saying, “Akeem should be remembered as a hero. Even after being shot, he acted selflessly and courageously, driving his passenger to safety at a nearby fire station.”
Law‑enforcement technology aids the hunt
The department highlighted the role of advanced technology in locating the suspect. Using the city’s Flock license‑plate reader (LPR) system, investigators traced Milner Jr.’s black Hyundai Elantra from West Palm Beach through multiple jurisdictions into Broward County. Real‑time intelligence from the LPR allowed the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to locate and stop the vehicle.
ShotSpotter, the acoustic gun‑fire detection system, also alerted officers to the shooting well before the 911 call was placed, giving responders a critical head start.
Suspect apprehended
Milner Jr. was identified as the driver of the Hyundai and taken into custody. Broward County Sheriff’s Office records show he remains in jail as of Wednesday, Sept. 30, and is expected to be transferred back to Palm Beach County to face charges related to the shooting.
Community impact
The tragedy has shaken the West Palm Beach community, particularly members of Mount Calvary Baptist Church and surrounding neighborhoods. Chief Araujo assured residents that the department is committed to a thorough investigation and to seeking justice for Pastor Moore and his family.
Police continue to ask anyone with additional information to contact the West Palm Beach Police Department.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
