Police chief: Cameras on store led to the arrests in Syracuse's latest homicide

A viewer of the video recognized the coat worn by a suspect.

Syracuse, NY -- In announcing the two arrests in Sunday's homicide on South State Street, Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler credited cameras that captured the killing of Tavorn Hunter and the citizens who gave police tips after viewing the video.

Hunter, 27, was shot by Shakeem J. Moore, 17, of 221 E. Castle St., during a robbery attempt in the parking lot of the Middle East Market in the 1900 block of South State St., Fowler said.

Moore was arrested Thursday at the Public Safety Building. Moore came to police headquarters with his mother to surrender, Fowler said. Moore was arraigned this morning in Syracuse City Court on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree attempted robbery.

Police said the robbery of Hunter was planned by Derek A. Williams, 21, of 403 W. Beard Ave. He was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree attempted robbery.

Fowler quoted Moore as telling police, "It wasn't supposed to go down like this."

Mike Greenlar / The Post-StandardSyracuse police investigate the scene Sunday after the shooting death of Tavorn Hunter. Two persons have been charged in the killing.

According to court papers, Williams gave police the following account:

Hunter was lured to the parking lot so Williams could buy marijuana. Williams then enlisted Moore to rob Hunter of the marijuana in the parking lot.

Moore returned to Williams from the store about 10 minutes after meeting Hunter. He said Hunter fought back and was struggling for the weapon when it went off.

"The suspects are claiming this was a marijuana deal," Fowler said. "We did not recover any marijuana at the scene."

Fowler added that Hunter had a good reputation in the community and that many people had come forward saying that he was a good individual.

Both suspects said that there was nothing taken from Hunter during the robbery attempt, Fowler said.

In Williams' statement, Williams said Moore shot Hunter with a "community gun" used by the Bricktown Gang.

Asked if there was gang involvement in the shooting, Fowler said police were still investigating, but that gangs were not the focus of the investigation.

"Our focus is on the murder," Fowler said.

Fowler said that the video captured by store cameras and released to the newspaper and television stations was crucial in solving the case.

In asking for information on the crime, Fowler said the police received "some very positive response" from the public.

"From that response, we were able to locate and arrest Derek Williams," Fower said.

One person recognized the coat that Moore was wearing during the crime, Fowler said. Williams gave Moore the coat to wear during the robbery, according to court records.

Fowler used the opportunity to push for a proposed system of cameras on the city's Near Westside, saying that the video captured the killing was valuable to their investigation.

"Had it not been for the videotape," Fowler said, the investigation would not have ended so quickly.

"This is a perfect example of why these cameras will work," Sgt. Tom Connellan said.

Because the investigation is continuing, police are not releasing photos of the suspects.

Read more about the Tavorn Hunter homicide.