West Memphis youths charged with murder

Child shot dead after the owner defends home during break-in

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

An 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy are now facing serious charges after a burglary in West Memphis turned fatal. Police say the two were involved in a break-in on Jan. 26 that left a 14-year-old dead and the 16-year-old wounded.

According to West Memphis Police, the incident happenedd at a home in the 1900 block of Scottwood Street. Investigators say 14-year-old Wendell Moore was shot and killed by the homeowner after attempting to break into the residence. The homeowner, who was nside at the time, reportedly opened

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fire on both Moore and the 16-year-old as they entered through a rear window.

Moore was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of the home, while the 16-year-old made it to the hospital with injuries. Police later discovered that an 11-year-old boy had been acting as a lookout outside the house while the breakin took place.

Authorities said the 16-year-old and 11-yearold later showed up at the hospital, leading police to the scene where Moore had collapsed. The 16-year-old, who survived the shooting, is now facing a charge of Capital Murder and is being charged as an adult. The younger 11-year-old is being charged with first-degree murder as a juvenile.