James Lafayette Moore, Possessing a Firearm as a Felon, Tennessee 2025

A horrific incident unfolded on August 24, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, when James Lafayette Moore, age 51, opened fire on an unarmed man, shooting him four times at point blank range. The brutal attack occurred on the balcony of My Town Extended Stay on Antioch Pike, with the shooting captured on video surveillance cameras.

Moore’s victim was left severely injured, with the shooter’s actions sparking outrage in the community. Fortunately, innocent bystanders came forward to assist law enforcement, pointing out Moore’s direction of flight. He was subsequently apprehended nearby at a Twice Daily gas station on Harding Place, with a K9 unit locating the pistol used in the shooting nearby in a shrub adjacent to the Twice Daily.

Moore’s violent past caught up with him when he was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). The indictment marks a significant development in the case, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office vowing to hold Moore accountable for his actions.

According to court documents, Moore’s history of violence dates back to 1993, when he was convicted of first-degree murder in the Circuit Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison, only to be granted parole and released on March 14, 2024.

If convicted, Moore faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Carlin C. Hess prosecuting the case.

As the community struggles to come to terms with the senseless violence, the indictment serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability. Moore’s actions have left a young man fighting for his life, and the community demands justice.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and Moore is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, the severity of the charges and the graphic nature of the crime make it clear that Moore’s actions will be met with the full force of the law.

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