Cops: Man Murders Ex, New Boyfriend at Class Reunion

Shooter is killed by off-duty officer
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 16, 2014 11:34 AM CDT
Cops: Man Murders Ex, New Boyfriend at Class Reunion
Stock image   (Shutterstock)

A high school reunion in East Peoria, Illinois, turned tragic Saturday night when the ex-husband of one of the attendees stormed in with a gun, killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend, police say. James Moore, 40, was then himself fatally shot by an off-duty law enforcement officer, the Peoria Journal Star reports. Moore shot Lori Moore, 33, and Lance Griffel, 36, once each in the head, inside the crowded Fifth Quarter Sports Bar and Pizzeria around 8pm. The Moores' divorce had been finalized in May of last year.

Some of the patrons belonged to the East Peoria High School class of 1999; ultimately, more than 100 witnesses spoke to police. "You can play the 'what if' game over and over again, but I think it's pretty clear in this case the presence of this officer and his ability to take very quick and very decisive action prevented a further tragedy," said the police chief of the off-duty officer. An earlier Journal Star article identified that officer as an FBI agent, and WEEK-TV noted special agents from the FBI were present at the scene. (More shooting stories.)

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