A late-night shooting in downtown Wilmington left 23-year-old Emir Moore dead on North Front Street early Saturday, and now police say they have the man responsible in custody.
Arrest And Charges
According to Port City Daily, Wilmington police arrested 29-year-old Trayquan Maleak Hasty, a Castle Hayne resident, in connection with the killing. Hasty is charged with first-degree murder. The Wilmington Police Department says the arrest came with help from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Hasty is being held without bond at the New Hanover County Detention Center and is scheduled for his first court appearance on Thursday, per Port City Daily.
Victim And Investigation
Officers responded to the 0 block of North Front Street around 1:36 a.m., where they found Moore suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene, WECT reported.
Moore, a 2021 graduate of New Hanover High School, played football during his time there. A GoFundMe has been launched to help his family with funeral expenses.
Downtown Safety Concerns
The killing has sharpened long-running worries about late-night safety along Wilmington’s riverfront, where crowds pack into bars and restaurants on weekends. WECT reported that roughly two dozen officers and deputies are tasked with policing thousands of people downtown on busy nights.
Mayor Bill Saffo told the outlet, “We need more of a visibility downtown,” underscoring the pressure on local leaders to keep the entertainment district both lively and safe.
What’s Next
The Wilmington Police Department says the investigation remains active and is asking anyone with information to call (910) 343-3600 or submit an anonymous tip through Tip 411, according to Port City Daily.
For now, officials say Hasty will stay behind bars without bond as prosecutors move forward with the case.
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