Grand Jury Indicts Man for West Palm Beach Murder
Hugh Earp Milner Jr. faces first-degree murder charges in the September shooting death of local minister Akeem Moore.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Violence
A grand jury has indicted Hugh Earp Milner Jr. for the shooting death of Akeem Moore, a minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. The charges follow an investigation into an incident in West Palm Beach where Milner allegedly fired into a vehicle.
Why it matters
The indictment provides a legal path forward for the community following the death of Akeem Moore. Authorities allege that the passenger in the vehicle believed Milner mistook them for other individuals, highlighting the random nature of the violence.
Hugh Earp Milner Jr. faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He was arrested in Broward County with assistance from the local sheriff's office.
The players
Hugh Earp Milner Jr.
He is the suspect indicted for the murder of Akeem Moore and faces multiple felony charges including first-degree murder.
Akeem Moore
The 31-year-old victim of the shooting who served as a minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Broward County Sheriff's Office
This law enforcement agency assisted in the arrest of the suspect after investigators used license plate reader data to track a vehicle.
The details
Milner allegedly approached the passenger side of a car in the 500 block of Ontario Place and fired into it, striking 31-year-old Akeem Moore. Moore managed to drive his unharmed passenger to a nearby fire station before succumbing to his wounds.
Timeline
September 27, 2026, 12:30 a.m.: The shooting occurred on Ontario Place.
October 23, 2026: The grand jury indictment was officially announced.
Legal Context
The charges filed against the suspect follow the prosecution standards established by the Florida criminal code regarding shooting into an occupied vehicle. Such indictments are standard procedural steps in high-profile homicide cases within the jurisdiction.
The arrest of the suspect provides clarity to residents regarding the investigation into the incident on Ontario Place. Local law enforcement maintains focus on the legal process as the case moves forward through the court system.
The takeaway
Communities often find closure when legal proceedings begin after acts of violence. Residents are reminded to report suspicious activity, as investigators rely heavily on technology like license plate readers to solve such cases.
Further reading
For more information on safety efforts in the area, see West Palm Beach Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
