Sixteen-year-old James JP Parnell Jr. was shot and killed on May 5, 2021, in Memphis. Parnell, a promising track athlete at Raleigh Egypt High School, had been visiting a 14-year-old girl at the home of 59-year-old John Moore. Moore arrived to find Parnell in a bedroom with his daughter, a confrontation followed, and Parnell was shot in the back while attempting to leave the house.

Parnell’s body was found the next day in a grassy area of a nearby yard by a witness who notified authorities. Investigators quickly focused on John Moore as the primary suspect; he was arrested and charged in connection with the killing. Prosecutors said Moore intentionally shot Parnell and tried to conceal the crime, including disposing of the teen’s clothing and shoes. The defense argued the shooting was not premeditated and should be voluntary manslaughter, saying Moore was upset and fired to chase the boy away.

The trial included testimony from a neighbor, the medical examiner, and Moore’s daughter. If anyone knew JP Parnell Jr., his routines, or saw activity around that house in May 2021, please share information with investigators.