Father Of Teen Accused Of Killing Store Clerk Talks To CBS 11
GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - A Garland teen charged in the shooting death of a 7-Eleven clerk will now face additional charges in connection to a second shooting, according to Garland Police.
Investigators said 18-year-old Colten Moore confessed to shooting a clerk last week.
The earlier shooting happened just before midnight Thursday at the Homeboys convenience store, which is directly across the street from the 7 Eleven where Yosef Tulu was gunned down Tuesday.
Garland Police said the victim, a cashier, was walking to his car when he was hit twice, but survived.
"He told officers he never saw anyone and had no idea who shot him or why he was shot," according to a statement from police.
They say, he is now in the hospital in stable condition.
Police said they knew the same caliber weapon was used in both crimes, but did not know for sure they were connected until Moore's confession Wednesday.
Officers said y they have also recovered evidence connecting him to the shooting.
An employee at the Homeboys convenience, Zia Shams, said the arrest in both cases is welcome news.
"We are relieved, much relieved," he said. "I got scared, you know, definitely got scared."
On Thursday, a large crowd of mourners held a vigil for the murdered clerk, Yosef Tulu, outside the 7-Eleven.
His brother-in-law, Andualem Shoro, spoke for the family.
"We ask you to pray for us and also for the family of the person who committed this crime. We thank you for your support in this painful time," he read from a prepared statement.
Dana Knox, who organized the vigil, says she knew Tulu only as a friendly cashier at her local gas station.
She says, she learned yesterday the suspect, Moore, graduated high school with her daughter last year.
"And her words to me were, Mom, 'He was the sweetest kindest man, boy. I never would have suspected he would do something like this,' " Knox told the crowd.
Bryan Moore, Colten's father, said he was at work Wednesday when a neighbor called and told him there was a SWAT team at his home.
He arrived to see an officer he knew as an acquaintance blocking the street in front of his home.
Immediately, he said, he feared either his son had shot himself or that he had some connection to the 7-Eleven shooting.
Moore said many family members and friends could not believe Colten was responsible.
When asked if he believed his son was guilty, Moore replied, "Well, he confessed."
Moore had only one message he wanted the public to hear.
"I wish everyone would pray for the comfort of his family," he said, speaking of the victim, Tulu.
Moore said he would have attended the vigil to join them in prayer, if he didn't think it would upset the family.
When asked about his own son, Moore replied, "Pray for him. He needs it."
Moore said, the gun used belonged to his son. He said Colten had owned it for 2 or 3 years and used it for target practice.
Police reports indicated Colten had spoken of wanting to shoot someone with his father's gun.
Moore said his own guns are locked away and out of reach.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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