Two Hastings teens arrested in murder case

Following up on a story that appeared in Historic City News yesterday, two Hastings teenagers have been arrested in connection with the homicide of a 28-year old man whose body was discovered Saturday evening.

Family members of the victim, believed to be Hastings resident Terrell Moore, 28 years-old, who resided at 529 Daniels Street, contacted the Sheriff’s Office Friday night to report Moore missing and that he may be in danger.

Deputies and a K-9 Unit responded and searched for several hours but were unable to locate any evidence.

After daylight Saturday morning, a person walking on a trail in the woods near the victim’s residence reported to the Sheriff’s Office that they had discovered an object that was covered up with palm brush.

Deputies responded to a wooded area behind a residence in the 500 block of Dallas Street and found a dead body in a shallow grave. Crime Scene Technicians were called in to preserve any evidence.

Robbery Homicide detectives questioned neighbors and witnesses. The information received around the scene led detectives to two potential suspects. They were located and brought in for questioning; which led to the arrests. Detectives believe the motive stems from a previous conflict between the parties.

The two suspects, identified as Travis Shawn Blakley, 18, and Naafiz K. Lowrie, 16, both of 531 E. Ashland Avenue, were arrested and booked into the County Jail.

Blakley is charged with murder and Lowrie is charged with principle to murder and he was taken to the juvenile detention facility.

An autopsy is scheduled for today by district medical examiner, Dr. Terrence Steiner in order to confirm the cause of death and make a positive identification of the victim.