Rep. J.A. Moore’s Close Call with Gun-Wielding Driver in North Charleston

North Charleston: Rep. J.A. Moore’s Close Call with Gun-Wielding Driver

Rep. J.A. Moore, a well-known Democratic politician from North Charleston, found himself in a harrowing situation on August 13. Moore had just driven to a restaurant near Park Circle in North Charleston to pick up his daughter from her first day of kindergarten. Parking was limited, and as he tried to find a spot, a man in a black truck swooped in and took the space Moore was waiting for.

Moore expressed his frustration verbally through his car window, and that’s when things took a turn for the worse. According to Moore, the other driver responded by pointing a gun at him. Threatened, Moore quickly drove away but soon saw the man walking on the street. Reacting quickly, Moore photographed the man and his truck’s license plate, handing the evidence over to the police.

Police located the man in a nearby bar. The suspect admitted to the argument but denied ever pointing a gun at Moore. Due to a lack of corroborating evidence and witnesses, police were unable to make an arrest at the time. However, Moore is determined to press charges, stating it was a clear misuse of a firearm in a verbal dispute.

“He felt that it was OK to threaten my life over what was a verbal dispute. I never threatened the guy’s life,” said an evidently shaken Moore on Wednesday. “I don’t know if there’s a legislative remedy to that. But I do think there is a societal remedy that needs to be had,” he added, calling for a new conversation about guns in America.

A Turning Point for Rep. J.A. Moore

This incident is likely to be a life-altering moment for Moore. This isn’t his first brush with the peril of gun violence; his sister was among those tragically killed in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. Moore has long been vocal about the need to curb gun violence, primarily because his personal life has been deeply affected by it.

Interestingly, Moore has also played a significant role in Democratic politics both locally and nationally. Reflecting back to 2019, Moore was heavily courted by then-presidential candidates seeking his endorsement for the crucial South Carolina Democratic presidential primary. That was around the same time he discovered he was going to be a father to a baby girl.

Moore decided to endorse Kamala Harris for her candidacy, driven by the vision of having a woman of color as a presidential figure. “It was the fact that she was a woman of color who had a viable chance of being president and I wanted my daughter to see that image – to live in a country where that was possible,” Moore said, recalling his conversation with Harris the day after his baby’s gender-reveal party.

Since then, Moore has remained connected with Harris, serving as a surrogate for her campaign in the 2020 elections and even attending significant political functions in Washington. He was present when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was recently announced as Harris’s running mate.

A Renewed Commitment

Despite the recent unsettling experience and the constant shadow of gun violence, Moore remains steadfast and optimistic about the future. He is fervently advocating for a refreshed conversation about gun laws and consistent support for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. “So many South Carolinians, both elected and people who believe in freedom and justice and that liberation takes work, are wholeheartedly supporting the vice president to be the next president. It’s encouraging to me,” he shared.

As Moore continues his journey, it’s clear that both his dedication to curbing gun violence and his ongoing political involvement will remain at the forefront of his activities in the coming months.

The weather today in North Charleston looks favorable with sunshine, followed by a few afternoon clouds. The high temperatures are expected to be around 88°F with light, variable winds. The evening will be partly cloudy with lows of around 67°F.