Suspect says double shooting was in self-defense

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The suspect charged with the murder of 22-year-old Ronnell Reaves told police he did it, but argued he was “in fear of his life.”

Matthew Moore, 32, was arrested and charged Tuesday for a double shooting that left Reaves dead and another male in critical condition.

In the early morning of Jan. 17, Police discovered Reaves’ body inside a car in front of 640 14th Place, NE.

According to charging documents, Moore told police that Reaves threatened to “dog” or kill him if he didn’t help Reaves rob a local carry out. Moore explained that there was a struggle and he fired the gun as a result.

However, “upon reviewing the surveillance video, no struggle occurred just before or during the entirety of the decedent’s murder,” police wrote in the warrant.

According to surveillance footage at the time of the murder, Moore, Reaves and the unidentified man drove to the block around 6:30 a.m. Moore and Reaves exited the car and proceeded to an alleyway before exiting the video altogether.

Minutes later Reaves returned to the car and shortly after Moore returned and fired into the open passenger side of the car, killing Reaves. In the vide the rear passenger side door open and Moore firing at the unidentified man.

Upon Moore’s arrest, Police located the gun and shell casings identical to those used in the murder.

Eyewitnesses were also able to identify Moore as the shooter.

Moore is currently being held without bond as he faces second-degree-murder charges. Moore is expected in court for a preliminary hearing February 17.