Stimulus check argument sparked Indiana quadruple murder, family says

An Indiana man shot the mother of his child and killed four of her family members, including her 7-year-old daughter, following an argument over the most recent stimulus check, according to family.

Authorities allege Malik Halfacre, 25, demanded half of Jeanettrius Moore’s $1400 stimulus check a day before killing her young daughter, brother, mother and a cousin.

“He wanted some of Jeanettrius’ tax money, stimulus money,” relative Wendy Johnson told news station WXIN. “She said, No, you don’t deserve any of this. I work. I take care of our child. You don’t do.”

Wendy Johnson told WXIN that her cousin, Jeanettrius Moore, and Halfacre, the father of Moore’s 6-month-old daughter, had argued Friday about the $1,400 stimulus check issued as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 relief package.

“She had just gotten her money, and he wanted half of her money,” Johnson, who is familiar with Moore’s account of the incident, told the news station.

After Moore offered him $450, Halfacre left, vowing to “get that money,” Johnson said.

The next evening, he returned to the home and found Moore with family members, Johnson told WXIN. Halfacre again demanded the money and started to look inside Moore’s purse, Johnson said.

As the dispute escalated, Halfacre took out a gun and opened fire, injuring Moore and killing her mother, Tomeeka Brown, her brother, Daquan Moore, 23; 44; her cousin, Anthony Johnson, 35; and her daughter, Eve Moore, 7, Johnson told WXIN. Halfacre then fled with the couple’s infant daughter, Malia, Johnson said.

Tomeeka Brown

Anthony Johnson

Eve

Daquan Moore

Indianapolis police soon responded and began searching for Halfacre, according to the Indianapolis Star. They also issued an Amber Alert for Malia, who was found safe the next morning, according to the report.

Jeanettrius Moore

Moore was listed in critical condition but has been released from the hospital.

According to WXIN, Halfacre is facing preliminary charges of murder, attempted murder and robbery in connection with the quadruple homicide.