Evergreen Reporter

Darrell Moore, a 47-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a Superior Court jury for the first-degree murder while armed and other firearm-related charges. The conviction relates to the April 2021 murder of Julius Hayes. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., alongside Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Moore could face a life sentence.

The incident occurred on April 3, 2021, around 3:50 p.m., when Moore drove to the 300 block of 18th Street, NE in a black sedan. He confronted Mr. Hayes and an argument ensued. Although Mr. Hayes attempted to walk away, Moore pursued him and fired multiple shots at him in the street. After briefly returning to his vehicle, Moore continued his attack on Mr. Hayes before fleeing south on 18th Street. Responding officers and medics found Mr. Hayes between two parked cars; he was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

Moore was apprehended on May 11, 2021, and has remained in custody since then.

Previously convicted at age 16 for first-degree murder while armed during a home invasion that resulted in the death of a child and attempted murders of two women, Moore had been released from prison on August 7, 2020, under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA), despite government objections.

U.S. Attorney Martin acknowledged contributions from various agencies involved in investigating this case including MPD, United States Attorney’s Office, ATF Washington Field Division, FBI Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences, DC Department of Corrections and United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Nebiyu Feleke and Michael C. Lee were commended for their prosecution efforts.