Clayton News Daily

Patrick Moore

JONESBORO — A man who authorities allege is a member of the Vice Lords gang will go on trial for murder next week.

Patrick Ramon Moore stands accused of shooting and killing one person, and wounding three others.

Moore, 23, is scheduled to appear Monday before Clayton County Superior Court Judge Albert B. Collier.

Moore was arrested Jan. 4, 2011, following a joint investigation by Clayton County Police and the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Moore is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and three counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

The shooting occurred Jan. 3, 2011, at Regal Pointe Apartments, in Morrow, which happened after Moore had an argument with four people about a theft, police said.

Authorities declined to disclose specific details regarding the alleged theft.

Tracey Burton, Jr., 20, of Riverdale was shot and died at the scene, according to Clayton County Police spokesman, Sgt. Otis Willis.

“Three other victims were struck by bullets,” said Willis during a January 2011 press conference. “One victim was struck in the chest, and was transported by Life Flight to Grady Hospital. Another victim was struck in the hand by a bullet, and was also transported to Grady Hospital. The last victim received a graze wound to the leg, [and] was treated and released on the scene.”

The arrest warrant alleges Moore fired rounds from an AK-47 semi-assault rifle at Jervod Jarvis, striking him in the chest, causing him to receive a “sucking” chest wound. It also seriously disfigured Jarvis’ chest, back and rendered his lungs useless. Moore also fired rounds from the rifle at Fabian Ellis, striking him in the left hand. As a result Ellis’ fingers were disfigured and rendered useless.

The arrest warrant also said Erica Peterson was a victim of the shooting. She received a “graze wound” when a bullet struck her pants, according to police.

Clayton County Police Detective Eddie Rivera said the AK-47 Moore used in the shooting was stolen.

Moore was arrested in Marietta by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Supervisory Inspector for the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, James Ergas, said the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, helped lead authorities to an apartment, in Marietta. Moore was discovered in the apartment, and was “arrested without further incident,” said Ergas, at the time.

Last year, officials alleged Moore has a violent criminal history, including a parole warrant in Illinois for false imprisonment.