Investigators with the Houston Police Department's homicide division released new details of the fatal shooting. They detailed a timeline of the events that unfolded, culminating the shooting death of 29-year-old Carnell Moore.
Police say Moore threatened a woman in Beaumont Tuesday morning. Officials described the woman as someone Moore worked with, and was infatuated with. He allegedly kidnapped her at gunpoint and wanted her to take him to Houston. When she convinced him to let her go, he came on his own, driving into the area at about 3pm Tuesday, checked in to a hotel and posted dark messages on Facebook.
On Wednesday, Moore spoke with his brother, and told him that he no longer had any weapons.
Police say Moore went to Bush Intercontinental Airport at noon Thursday in a white pickup truck. He parked in the passenger pick-up area at 12:02pm and sat there for 15 minutes.
At 12:17pm, police say Moore got out of his vehicle and grabbed a suitcase. A minute later, he entered the baggage area and went upstairs. He went into the waiting area near the United ticketing counter. Police add that at no point did Moore breach airport security.
Then investigators say at 1:30pm, Moore drew a Glock semi-automatic pistol and fired twice in the air. A Homeland Security agent who was nearby confronted Moore, giving several commands. Moore didn't comply, and the agent was forced to fire his weapon.
Police say Moore was hit from long range in the right shoulder area, likely from the agent's weapon. He was also suffered a fatal wound in the temple.
Inside the black suitcase in Moore's possession was a loaded AR-15, which was loaded but hadn't been fired, as well as ammunition, a suicide note and a Gideon Bible, with some verses marked.
"We're very fortunate the individual did not injure or kill any other victims," said HPD Chief Charles McClelland.
Houston police investigators read from what they say was Moore's suicide note.
"'Here in the last hour, I yield to mercy, when this could have turned bad,'" read HPD's Brian Harris. "'Jehovah found a path to my heart, that love would conquer anger. The monster within me was getting stronger. And while I could not save myself, I could spare others.'"
HPD homicide investigator Fil Waters said that Moore's family has said he had expressed a desire to confront a police officer while armed. But he had no criminal history and is described as a 'very private individual.'
Moore was quite vocal about his intentions, even posting some eerie messages on Facebook. On Wednesday, Moore wrote, "I recently had the chance of staring death in the face, and she was beautiful."
A few hours later, Moore posted, "this life will crash tomorrow."
The Department of Homeland Security said the agent was not injured in the shooting.
Terminal B was shut down for several hours during the investigation and passengers were being sent to other terminals, according to the Houston Airport System. It reopened around 5:30pm.
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