WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — West Palm Beach police detailed the investigation into the fatal shooting of church worship leader during a press conference on Wednesday, crediting technology and interagency cooperation for the swift arrest of the suspect.
WATCH BELOW: Technology helped crack case in shooting death of Akeem Moore, police say
"Before providing an update on this homicide investigation, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and church community mourning the loss of Akeem Moore," Police Chief Tony Araujo said.
Moore, 31, was a minister of worship at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi and was pursuing a master of divinity degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the chief said.
According to Araujo, Moore and a second victim were parked along the 500 block of Ontario Place in West Palm Beach just after midnight on Sunday. Moore was in the driver's seat and the second victim was in the passenger seat.
"At approximately 12:30 a.m., Hugh Earp Milner Jr., 38, approached the passenger side of the car and began hitting the window," Araujo said. "The passenger knew and recognized Hugh and immediately believed he was mistaking them for someone else. Hugh pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the occupants."
The chief said Moore lowered the passenger window and told Milner they were not the people he was looking for, then reversed the car to drive away. Milner fired at the passenger side headlight and continued firing as Moore drove north on Ontario Place.
"He told his passenger he believed he had been shot. After observing blood on his back, they called 911, while Akeem drove to West Palm Beach Fire Station 5," Araujo said. "Akeem was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The second victim was not harmed."
WATCH BELOW: West Palm Beach give update on arrest in shooting death of Akeem Moore
Araujo called Moore a hero for his actions after being shot.
"Even after being shot, he acted selflessly and courageously, driving his passenger to safety at a nearby fire station," he said.
The department said investigators worked quickly to identify Milner and located the vehicle he used to get away. ShotSpotter technology alerted officers to the gunfire before the 911 call came in, the chief said, helping send officers to the scene. Investigators determined Milner drove away in a black Hyundai Elantra, which was entered into the law enforcement license plate reader database as a felony vehicle.
"Because Hugh is unhoused, investigators did not have a known address where he could be located. Using Flock license plate reader technology, investigators traced the car's path from West Palm Beach through multiple jurisdictions and ultimately into Broward County," Araujo said. "This real-time intelligence allowed the Broward Sheriff's Office to quickly locate and stop the car. He was identified as a driver and taken into custody."
The department said they are also using BrassTrax technology to compare cartridge casings and DNA analysis to examine forensic evidence. When asked how the investigation might have unfolded without the technology, Araujo said things would have turned out differently.
WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW: The family of Akeem Moore speaks to WPTV
"I've been a cop for 45 years. We'd probably still be looking for the suspect," he said.
Araujo credited dispatchers, officers, investigators, and professional staff across multiple units, including patrol, criminal investigations, the real-time crime center, and the crime scene unit, for their work across multiple crime scenes.
He also thanked State Attorney Alexcia Cox's office for assistance with numerous search warrants and the arrest warrant, as well as the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
Milner faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He was transported to the Broward County Jail waiting to be extradited to the Palm Beach County Jail.
"Akeem should be remembered as a hero," Araujo said. "His death is a heartbreaking loss, and we recognize the profound pain this tragedy has caused throughout our community."
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