The Lubbock Police Department confirmed that 40-year-old Christopher Carter who was wanted for the murder of 18-year-old Lakaria Moore, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a motel in the 4100 block of 19th Street on Monday.
Police initially received a tip about man who was involved in Moore’s murder being at the motel on Monday morning.
“While surveilling, investigators attempted to have Carter exit the room he was in shortly before 1:40 p.m. At that time, a male exited the room, informing officers there was a deceased male inside,” a press release from LPD stated. Police said it was considered an “in-custody death” because officers were trying to get Carter to come out of the hotel room at the time.
Moore was reported missing on May 21. Court records stated she was last seen leaving a party early that morning with Carter, her boyfriend. Court document said on May 22, a neighbor in the 2400 block of East 5th Street told LPD officers that “gunshots were heard coming from Carter’s residence the previous night.”
Moore’s body was found on May 22 in the trunk of Carter’s car behind an old business in the 1200 block of FM 1729.
According to a search warrant previously obtained by EverythingLubbock.com, authorities found ammunition, shell casings, bleach and Pine Sol, among other items in Carter’s home. Police also found a bloody blanket and towels in a dumpster behind Carter’s house, court documents stated.
The following is a press release from the Lubbock Police Department:
The Lubbock Police Department is investigating the in-custody death of 40-year-old Chris Carter, the sole suspect identified in the death of 18-year-old Lakaria Moore.
On July 31st, investigators with the Texas Anti-Gang Center received information pertaining to Carter’s location and proceeded to the Stadium Motel in the 4100 block of 19th Street around 10:30 a.m. While surveilling, investigators attempted to have Carter exit the room he was in shortly before 1:40 p.m. At that time, a male exited the room, informing officers there was a deceased male inside. Upon entry, officers located the male, who is believed to have suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was later identified as Christopher Wayne Carter.
Investigators identified Carter as a suspect in the murder of Moore shortly after her death. Moore’s remains were found outside city limits on Monday, May 22nd near North County Road 3000 and East County Road 6650. She was initially reported missing on May 21st at 9:03 p.m. in the 2100 block of North Jayton Avenue.
The investigation surrounding Carter’s death is ongoing.
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