A Bronx man who was a staunch advocate against gun violence, was indicted last week for fatally shooting a man in August 2020.
The defendant, Mervin Joseph Moore, 37, was part of a Bronx anti-violence group and was active in the community. He attended anti-gun violence rallies and marches and visited NYPD Precincts to talk about his network..
“Now in tragic irony he stands charged with murder,” said District Attorney Darcel Clark. “I consider these anti-gun violence groups in the Bronx vital stakeholders in the fight against the gun scourge, and their good work should not be tarnished by this alleged crime.”
Moore, of 1189 Sheridan Ave., was arraigned on Jan. 28 for second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Remand was continued and he is due back in court April 28.
According to the investigation, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, 2020, the defendant spotted the victim, Forest Byrd III, 34, at a party in a courtyard at 1166 Burke Avenue. Moore allegedly went inside a building and returned to the gathering and fired multiple shots at Byrd, striking him in the chest, back and arm.
The victim was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after. The defendant, who had been active with Jacobi Medical Center’s Stand Up to Violence (SUV) group, fled and was arrested Dec. 24, 2020.The motive for the shooting is unclear.
