A second person has been arrested in connection with what police called a hate-motivated shooting that resulted in the death of a gay man in DeKalb County.
Shaleeya Moore is in the DeKalb jail facing felony murder and armed robbery charges after the fatal shooting, according to police spokesman Sgt. J.D. Spencer.
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
The charges stem from the June 4 homicide of Ronald Trey Peters, 28. The gunman used an anti-gay slur as he ordered Peters to turn over his bag, according to a DeKalb police report.
RELATED: Police say DeKalb gunman used anti-gay slur before shooting man
Witnesses said as Peters walked down Orchard Circle, two men got out of a truck and put on masks. Peters’ partner told investigators he was on his way to the MARTA station before work.
“The witness then stated one of the unidentified suspects shot the victim in the chest with a chrome pistol, then proceeded to shoot him again in the neck after he was on the ground and took his bag,” the incident report said.
Bystanders told police the men left in a maroon, four-door truck driven by a third person.
MORE: Man killed in alleged DeKalb hate crime remembered as creative, kind
Investigators checked the box on the report indicating the crime was “hate motivated.” Georgia is one of four states that does not have hate crime laws, which allow for steeper penalties against certain bias-related crimes.
Peters, who was from Pell City, Ala., worked at Regional Medical Group in Decatur as a case manager.
Last month, police released surveillance photos of three people of interest in the deadly shooting. Both Moore and Joshua Cortez Ellis, 21, were among the people shown in the photos, Spencer said.
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
MORE: 3 people of interest sought in alleged hate-motivated shooting death of Decatur man
Ellis, of College Park, was previously charged in the incident. He was already in jail when the murder charge was levied against him. He had been arrested June 6 by deputies in Clayton County after being wanted for armed robbery and aggravated assault, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. He’s accused of robbing and pistol-whipping a man May 5.
Another man, who is a person of interest, has not been identified. Anyone with information about his identity or whereabouts is asked to contact the DeKalb County Police Department at 770-724-7850.
MORE: Suspect arrested, 2 others sought in alleged hate-motivated shooting of Decatur man
Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
In other news:
About the Author
