The shooting death of the Rev. Akeem Moore has left congregations from West Palm Beach to Riviera Beach grieving the loss of a charismatic, young minister, musician and educator whose influence reached beyond the pulpit.
Moore, a minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, died Sept. 27 after someone shot him on Ontario Place, a residential street just east of Cardinal Newman High School.
Police that morning arrested Hugh Earp Milner Jr. on charges including first-degree murder with a firearm. He is in the Broward County Jail, awaiting extradition to Palm Beach County.
In the days since the shooting, social media has filled with tributes from friends, pastors, parishioners, musicians, former students and community leaders who describe
who Moore as a gifted minister whose faith and music influenced countless lives.
West Palm minister made his mark with music, preaching, passion
Mount Calvary Baptist Church, on 36th Street near Lake Mangonia, said Moore was its minister of worship and a member of its evangelistic outreach, technology and social media ministries.
Social media users remembered Moore, 31, for his passionate preaching, booming singing voice and lively performances on the drums, piano and keyboard.
State Rep. Jervonte "Tae" Edmonds, whose district includes parts of West Palm Beach and northern Palm Beach County, said Moore's death cut short the life of a promising community leader.
"Minister Akeem Moore deserved more time. More songs to sing. More lives to touch," Edmonds wrote on Facebook. "More years with the people who loved him."
Edmonds shared several photos of Moore, including one showing him and church band members alongside former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
"We should have been watching this young man grow older, continue his ministry, and see his dreams unfold," Edmonds added. "Losing him to violence is heartbreaking."
Charter school principal says Akeem Moore made children feel seen
Staff members at The Family Worship Church in Riviera Beach, where Moore also served as a musician, said the loss has been devastating.
Church leaders recalled Moore's last message during Sunday service was: "The Lord Is Good,” from Nahum 1:7. "Today, even through our tears, we hold on to that truth."
"Akeem was more than our musician," The Family Worship Church said in a prepared statement. "He didn’t just play for TFWC — he was family. He was engaged, connected, and deeply loved by all of us."
Kendra Spence is former principal of Renaissance Charter School at Cypress in West Palm Beach, where Moore taught. She remembered him as a educator who made students feel seen and celebrated their successes.
"He was truly so much more than a staff member," Spence wrote on Facebook. "He was a teacher, mentor, musician, encourager, and friend."
"It is difficult to understand why someone with so much more to give could be taken so soon," Spence added. "But, knowing Akeem and his gift for music, I can only imagine that heaven is having one amazing praise service with him behind the keys.
"His impact will live on through the students he encouraged, the colleagues he supported, the music he shared, and the many lives he touched."
Akeem Moore remembered for mentoring young pastors
The Rev. Torin Davis said he first met Moore as a child at Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, where he remembers seeing Moore playing the drums and singing, "Thank You, Lord. He Did It All.”
"We were just young boys who wanted to make a difference," Davis wrote on Facebook.
When Davis entered the ministry, he said Moore supported him and even traveled with him.
"When I accepted the call to ministry and began traveling to preach, you believed in me," Davis said. "You literally packed up your keyboard, and when I moved, you moved with me. All across the state of Florida, as I traveled spreading the Gospel, you were right there beside me, playing for me and supporting me."
Davis said he will miss Moore's musical gifts and the energy he brought to every church service.
"I’m going to miss your excellence, your expertise, and your enthusiasm. The passion you brought every time you sat behind a keyboard or an organ," Davis wrote. "You didn't just play music; your anointing helped set the atmosphere. You had a gift, and you used that gift to serve God and bless others."
Longtime friend and musician Sydney Davis, said the two shared church performances, concerts and countless musical opportunities together over the years.
"This guy was my little brother," Davis wrote on Facebook. "This guy pushed me to grow. This guy saw me in a light that I didn’t even see myself."
Last week, Moore had been help him deal with the grief of his grandother's death, Davis said.
"Just last week you told me to keep my head up at my grandmother's funeral," Davis wrote. "Now I have to look down at you! I’m not ready for this one man!"
Terrique Flacknor reflected on Moore's influence, recalling long nights spent watching him lead worship rehearsals.
"We had a discussion about you helping me build my vocals and teaching me how to play keys," Flacknor wrote on Facebook. "I’m sad that you won’t be able to help me with that anymore, but I’m grateful that you gained your wings."
Valentina Palm covers immigration and breaking news for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Minister killed in West Palm shooting beloved as musician, mentor
