UPDATE: 12-year-old attacked in downtown Cape; alleged assailant identified

Nicolette Baker ~ Southeast Missourian

Saturday, July 4, 2020

This image taken from video shows an attack on a 12-year-old boy in downtown Cape Girardeau late Friday night.

Update as of Sunday, July 5, at 5:15 p.m..

Sgt. Joey Hann of Cape Girardeau Police Department said the suspect remains at large.

Officers have checked multiple locations to no avail. He said family members of the suspect have been uncooperative and refused to allow officers to search for the suspect. Police are actively searching for the suspect.

Update as of Sunday, July 5, at 4 p.m.

According to a vetted source, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has identified the alleged assailant, who is currently on probation for felony domestic assault. The man had not been located as of early Sunday afternoon.

The incident, where the assailant punched a 12-year old boy who was part of a public dance gathering with Fingerprint Urban Dance Studio, has gained national attention. It was originally broadcast on Facebook Live, shared tens of thousands of times, then picked up by celebrity news website TMZ and others.

According to Michael Crank Curry, owner of Fingerprint, the 12-year old suffered a concussion and injury to his nose. “He is resting at home today, and was still getting dizzy as of this morning,” Curry said.

Curry explained that his studio has been holding street dances without incident during the Spring and Summer for more than two years.

“It’s a chance to showcase what we’re doing in a positive light, while giving kids a chance to perform and make some revenue off their passion,” Curry said. “Monetizing our craft is part of what we learn. Artists don’t always think about that.”

Curry nor any of the dancers know the assailant.

“I really thank the community for their support,” Curry said. “I especially appreciate the people at Shaker’s Bar (across the street) for their quick response. The bouncers were really quick about being proactive in helping. I had the video, but I didn’t know who he was. They put information out there quickly to get him identified.”

For the time being, though, the suspect, identified as Cedric Moore, remains at large. Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department at (573) 335-6621.

For information about Fingerprint Dance Studio, visit: https://www.facebook.com/byo707

THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED as more information comes in.

* * * * *

ORIGINAL STORY

Police are investigating an attack on a 12-year-old male Friday night in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Joey Hann said at approximately 11:40 p.m., the juvenile was dancing on Main Street near Independence Street when a dark sports utility vehicle stopped in the westbound lane of Independence Street. An adult male passenger exited the vehicle and hit the juvenile in the head from behind. The suspect returned to the vehicle and quickly drove away.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with a wound to the head and is currently recovering.

Hann said the attack was unprovoked and the juvenile said he did not know the suspect.

Police are currently working to locate the suspect, Hann said. Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department at (573) 335-6621.

Comments

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Here's the link to the video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qJSeLEXrnw

-- Posted by Kenneth Ackman on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 4:17 PM
Looks like a hate crime to me.

-- Posted by not no more on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 4:37 PM
Where was Cape p.d when this happened?

-- Posted by not no more on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 4:57 PM
not no more...it happened in an instant.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 5:06 PM
How can it not be a hate crime... ok pastors and blm and snap any thoughts... your silence is violence on the children!

-- Posted by madgab1 on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 6:45 PM
Clear pic of the punk. Surely he can be identified and arrested.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 7:20 PM
Hate crime.

-- Posted by Cape Gal on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 7:26 PM
This is what happens in a divisive society!

-- Posted by madgab1 on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 7:33 PM
Come on Chief Blair, if this isn’t investigated as a hate crime you need to go right now. How is the gun in the jail investigation going? Your behind the curve man, get with it.

-- Posted by Boo! on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 8:08 PM
Just a matter of time.

The police will get him!

-- Posted by dtsuntrup@att.net on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 8:23 PM
Anyone surprised how long it took the Missourian to report it and I bet kfvs12 doesn’t bring it up.... good job guys!

-- Posted by madgab1 on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 9:56 PM
Where is the good Rev. Bird and the rest of the black delegation? Where is the condemnation of this act. Why aren’t the black leaders of the community out marching arm and arm denouncing this racial injustice? Don’t sit on the sidelines now fellas. Let me hear an Amen.

-- Posted by Boo! on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 10:27 PM
Amen Boo!!!!!

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sat, Jul 4, 2020, at 10:35 PM
There IS a double standard here. If this had been a black youth and a white adult male, national news would have eaten it up. No doubt, Gayle King would have a cow about it for the first 30 minutes of her morning news report Monday morning. And this is exactly why many of us, liberal, conservative, and moderate say unashamedly, ALL LIVES MATTER.

-- Posted by Wilburn Richardson on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 9:02 AM
You are so right Wilburn. Gayle King, Al Sharpton, “The Reverend” Jesse Jackson , and Lawyer Crumb won’t be marching for justice for this young man. Guess white isn’t a color. Let me hear an Amen.

-- Posted by Boo! on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 9:49 AM
BrahmaBull, this did happen on a Friday night in the summertime. The boy was there with another boy around his same age and a grown man was there supervising both of them. It was a little before midnight and they were not causing any harm to anyone. A grown man stopping and violently punching that boy in the face cannot be justified in ANY way.

Now, your comment does bring to my mind some questions about the man who assaulted the boy. Does that man have any children of his own? If so, what was he doing out just before midnight cruising the streets? Where were his children and who was watching over them? Also, if he acts this violently towards a child that is not his own, how does he act toward his own children? I hope they catch this person and we get some answers to those questions and that an adult male (I dislike even calling him a man) who acts in such an unmanly and irresponsible manner towards a child is given every bit of justice that he deserves.

-- Posted by Kenneth Ackman on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 12:23 PM
I understand BrahmaBull. When I was 12 (a long time ago) I was usually in bed by midnight even on a Friday in the summer. I grew up in a gentler time. It's a whole different world we live in today and this country is a whole different country. I feel sorry for the little kids who are now having to grow up surrounded by so much hate and violence.

-- Posted by Kenneth Ackman on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 1:30 PM
Glad to hear he is identified, more than likely on the run, He should be charged with multiple charges, and serve a lengthy prison term!

-- Posted by lt19492 on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 4:21 PM
Mosley apparently the webmaster didn't care for your wording. Didn't meet community standards.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 4:35 PM
He won't Citizen. He only sneak attacks kids.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 5:24 PM
Your comment is about to be deleted Wolf. SeMissourian is on a role today.

And I completely concur.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 5:45 PM
Roll

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 5:46 PM
Told ya.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 7:01 PM
Several comments have been deleted for threatening physical violence. A few others make broad racial statements that were flagged as inappropriate in context of the story.

-- Posted by Jon K. Rust on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 7:44 PM
That's weak Jon. 'Broad racial statements'? Because someone is called an animal or punk for hitting a 12 year old kid? Jon you have daughters. How would you describe a person that would do something so egregious against your girls????

Controlling content of the commentary is not your job. That's what CNN does. Report the story and allow commentary or don't. Just don't suppress speech you may not like.

-- Posted by BrahmaBull on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 7:53 PM
If this person had any integrity at all he would turn himself in to the proper authorities. I could respect him at least a little bit for doing that. If he has any kind of spiritual beliefs at all, whether Protestant, Catholic, Jewish or Muslim, Budhhhist or Hindu, his spiritual advisor at his place of worship would be a good place to start in setting things right ... or at least I would hope so. If he has no religion at all, just a sense of shared humanity should guide his conscience. What a lost soul he must be and I hope his being brought to justice builds his character instead of breaking it completely. However, if this suspect has a prior record of violence, something different from what has been done in the past is going to need to be done to reform him. I just hope he's able to accept that he's not yet beyond the point of being able to reform himself. It's a sad situation all the way around. His act of violence was such a senseless thing to do. Now is the time for him to turn his life around.

-- Posted by Kenneth Ackman on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 8:20 PM
Here's a comment that was deleted. If they know the name of the suspect or "person of interest" why isn't that name released to aide in capture. Also, what happened to the foot patrol and bicycle patrol that used to be down town? Please explain how that is racist or threatening, Jon.

-- Posted by The Papa on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 8:23 PM

Response by Jon Rust, Publisher, Southeast Missourian:
The Papa: That comment was not deleted. And I do not see a record of it anywhere. By the way, the suspect's name was posted soon after we learned it. So, maybe you made the comment somewhere else. But it was not here.
Poor Jon. It must be terrible for you having to play God. Please tell us all again how wise you are and how you know exactly who's post are worthy of your acceptance...

-- Posted by lilmissouriboy on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 8:44 PM
I just reviewed the posts that were removed (again). Not only do they threaten violence and mob justice, but many use degrading terms, including swear words with letters missing, etc. They clearly violate the terms of use on this site.

-- Posted by Jon K. Rust on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 8:51 PM
Due to the violation of comment standards and misrepresentation of what was posted, commentary has been turned off for this article. Speak Out Forum is less regulated, though items that are flagged there by community members will be reviewed. If you have information that will help the police in this matter, please contact them at the number posted in the story. I wish everyone a good night.

-- Posted by Jon K. Rust on Sun, Jul 5, 2020, at 9:15 PM

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