Fort Bragg soldier charged in killing fellow soldier, faces judge
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- A Fort Bragg soldier charged in the shooting death of another soldier faced a Cumberland County judge Monday.
Spc. Adacia Bruton, 20, has been charged with felony first-degree murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Spc. Justin Moore. The shooting occurred last Wednesday morning in the parking lot of Moore's Fayetteville apartment complex, Lake in the Pines. On Friday, Bruton was arrested wearing her Army Combat Uniform.
On Monday, the Pittsboro native, her right arm bandaged, faced a judge and asked for a bond to be set. When asked whether she was still employed by the U.S. Army, Bruton said "I don't know, Sir" because she had not been contacted by post officials since her Friday arrest. At that point, two members from Bruton's chain of command, her captain and first sergeant, stood up and entered the jailhouse courtroom. They were asked about Bruton's military performance, and said she was "on par" with all non-commissioned officer evaluations, taken monthly since her enlistment two years ago.
When the judge asked Bruton if she had anything else to add, she described her home life.
"I have a very sick mother and that household depended on my income," she said.
Bruton's secure bond was set to $750,000, and if she posts it, she may not have contact with Moore's family.
RELATIONSHIP HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED
Outside of their Fort Bragg connection, Moore and Bruton's relationship has not been described by anyone.
Moore's co-worker said he'd recently been assigned to their burial team on Fort Bragg, and seemed like a straight and narrow kind of guy who was very good at his work.
"I had noticed that he didn't come to work for about a week," said Tevin Hicks, noting he hadn't seen Moore since July 24. "They [co-workers] said his tires had gotten slashed, all four of his tires had gotten slashed on his car, so I figured that was the reason why [he didn't come to work], and then that Wednesday I came home and seen the forensics tape everywhere, so...it was real dramatic."
Hicks said Moore had told members of his team that he was married. His Facebook page indicated he was in a relationship with a young Durham woman.
Bruton's Facebook page noted an engagement to another Fort Bragg soldier. She worked in a warehouse/mechanic capacity on post.
Following the hearing, Bruton's chain of command met with court officials, but it is unclear how the case will be jointly handled by Fort Bragg and Cumberland County. If she posts bond, she will have to be monitored by authorities from both jurisdictions.
