13-year-old charged with killing 12-year-old boy in July

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old boy who was visiting the suspect at his home.

The shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon, July 25, just south of London at a residence on Shackle Road.

Killed in the shooting was Malachi H. Moses, a student at South Laurel Middle School

At the time of the incident, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said: “Investigators report that apparently a weapon discharged in the bedroom of a residence … striking a 12-year-old Laurel County boy in the stomach.”

Following an extensive investigation, Root said the Laurel County Major Crimes Task Force “detained a 13-year-old Laurel County male juvenile on Thursday evening, September 28, 2023, at approximately 5:19 p.m.” The suspect was transported to a juvenile detention center.

Barbara Bateman, Malachi’s mother, told WMYT.com that her son and the teen accused of killing him were once close friends but had drifted apart until recently being reconnected by a mutual friend.

(Photo: Malachi H. Moses, courtesy of Bowling Funeral Home)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com