A Gary man has been charged with murder after fatally striking a Griffith business owner with his vehicle in broad daylight Monday.
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Around 11:21 a.m. on April 6, Griffith Police responded to a “fatal pedestrian incident” in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 1100 block of E. Ridge Road, according to a Wednesday release. During the ensuing investigation, police saw through witness statements and video footage that Atrailu William Moore, 38, of Gary, followed the victim through the parking lot, spoke with him briefly, and then hit him with his red Jeep Grand Cherokee, the release said.
The Lake County Coroner’s office on Wednesday identified the victim as Tony Pendleton, 59, of Lynwood, Illinois. Pendleton owned a D’Light Boutique, which is located in the strip mall, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Callers to 911 told police that a man was on the ground and not moving. They said it appeared that Moore was trying to pull out to leave the scene, court records state. A witness said Moore looked angry and did not appear to be concerned or remorseful about his actions
Moore, at first, told officers that he hadn’t hit anyone with his car, but an officer saw damage on the front passenger bumper, records state. He then claimed that he hit a deer but went silent when asked where it happened.
Customers at a nearby business told police that Moore and Pendleton appeared to be arguing before Moore hit Pendleton with his Jeep, the affidavit states. Paramedics told police that the victim told them he was doing his workout in the parking lot when he was struck.
Pendleton died about 90 minutes after the crash, according to court records. An autopsy showed that Pendleton experienced multiple rib fractures, internal hemorrhaging, a lacerated liver, lung contusions, and a minor head injury.
Security camera footage from the strip mall shows Moore’s vehicle slowing down in front of a store to talk with Pendleton, then the Jeep continues to shadow Pendleton as he walks south through the parking lot, records state. The pair interacted two more times before Pendleton walked away. The camera footage then showed Moore leaving his parking spot, accelerating as he hit Pendleton, which launched him into the air, the affidavit stated. Pendleton hit the pavement, and he was run over by the Jeep.
Moore continued driving for 20 to 30 yards before stopping, court records state. He then reversed his car and accelerated in an attempt to back over Pendleton, who rolled out of the way in time to avoid a second impact.
Police tried to question Moore multiple times, but he struggled to focus and stared off into space, records state. Moore denied being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but he later agreed to submit to a chemical test.
Moore’s wife came over to the scene as he was placed in handcuffs, court records state. She told them he has been under the influence of PCP and he smoked marijuana laced with embalming fluid. She told police that the family had tried to stage an intervention for him the previous day because he had been experiencing mood swings, zoning out, pacing around the house, and had asked for a gun because he was afraid someone was out to get him, the affidavit states.
Moore, according to court records, is currently in custody at the Lake County Jail. Moore has two other pending charges: obstructing traffic with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident, records state.
Anyone with further information on the incident is asked to contact Griffith Detective Jason Gary at (219) 924-7503, ext. 252, or through its tip line at (219) 922-3085.
Crown Point Police and the Indiana State Police assisted.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.