Downtown shooting victim’s family speaks out

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The parents of a 23-year-old man killed in a shooting inside a downtown Wilmington bar last weekend are speaking publicly about their son as the man charged in his death begins moving through the court system.

Kayah and Shaun Rucker attended the first court appearance on Thursday for 29-year-old Trayquan Maleak Hasty, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emir Moore.

Moore was shot and killed Saturday, June 6th, inside Unhinged, a bar on North Front Street in downtown Wilmington.

“He was just one of the angels that I was blessed to have for 23 years,” said Kayah Rucker.

The Ruckers described Moore as a kind and joyful young man whose life was cut short while spending time with friends.

“He was tragically, senselessly, murdered on a night he was going out to have fun with his friends, and we’re just here to see justice be served for him,” said Rucker.

Moore’s mother said her son was known for his smile and positive attitude, making his loss especially difficult for family members and friends.

“It’s too much, somebody just take my son like that, it’s just, it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make any sense at all. The person that he was, you couldn’t even get mad at him, he was just, if you looked at him, he was smiling, always smiling,” she said.

According to his mother, Moore had recently reached an important milestone in his life. After living at home for years, he had moved out on his own and was looking forward to his future.

“He’d been home with us his entire life; he’d just moved out this year to be on his own and be a real man, you know, even though we didn’t want him to move out, but he was grown, and we wanted him to pursue his life,” said Rucker.

While she said support from family has helped them navigate their grief, she continues to struggle with the reality of losing her son.

“I wish I could bring him back, I wish he was here. I see him all the time. I see him all the time, but I can’t see that face, I can’t see that smile again, and I can’t touch my son, I can’t hug him, I can’t love on him no more, that hurts me so bad because he was such a good boy, he was such a good child,” she said.

As the criminal case proceeds, Rucker said her family is focused on seeing justice served.

“My son did not deserve this at all; he did not deserve it, so I’m praying for life or death penalty for him, that would be justice,” she said.

Hasty is being held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 2.