On the night of August 6, 2019, 31-year-old Michael D. Moore, a construction worker from Jupiter, Florida, was fatally shot multiple times. The incident occurred around 10:36 p.m. on the 800 block of S. Whitney Drive. When police arrived at the scene, they found Moore suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old James E.
Stainthorpe, fled the scene on a bicycle but was later apprehended by the police.
James E. Stainthorpe was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. During the investigation, Stainthorpe claimed that he shot Moore in self-defense. According to his arrest report, Stainthorpe did not call 911 after the shooting and instead fled the scene, hiding the gun in his bedroom. He later told police that he felt threatened by Moore, although the report did not specify the nature of the threat. Witnesses reported seeing Stainthorpe shoot Moore with a small handgun and then leave the scene on a bicycle.
The case against Stainthorpe proceeded through the legal system, with him being held without bail following his arrest. His parents attended his court hearings, visibly emotional. The charge of second-degree murder indicated that Stainthorpe did not have a premeditated intent to kill Moore. The investigation revealed that Moore and Stainthorpe had a dispute involving a mutual acquaintance, which escalated into the fatal shooting.
Nearly five years after the incident, Stainthorpe agreed to a plea deal. Details of the plea deal and the final sentencing were not immediately available, but the agreement marked the conclusion of a lengthy legal process. Throughout the investigation and trial, the community of Jupiter was reminded of the tragic loss of Michael D. Moore, a young man whose life was cut short by violence.
