In a courtroom charged with grief, disbelief, and raw anger, a man accused of shooting a homeless man 15 times appeared to find the entire thing funny — until the judge stepped in and wiped the smile off his face.
The unnamed private security guard is currently on trial for the brutal killing of 41-year-old Elijah Moore, a homeless man who was reportedly unarmed and posed no immediate threat when he was gunned down outside a convenience store late last year.
During opening statements, as prosecutors described in chilling detail how Elijah was shot in the back and then repeatedly as he lay on the ground, witnesses say the defendant laughed.
“He smirked. Then he laughed,” one courtroom observer told reporters. “Like it was some kind of joke to him. People were stunned.”
Family members of the victim broke down in tears. Elijah’s sister reportedly screamed at the man from across the courtroom before being escorted out by deputies.
But it was the judge’s reaction that truly turned the moment into a viral storm.
Judge’s Response: “You think this is funny?”
Courtroom transcripts reveal the judge abruptly halted proceedings, turning his full attention to the defendant.
“You think this is funny?” the judge said coldly. “This man is dead. You’re on trial for his death. And you’re sitting here laughing?”
After a tense silence, the judge made his ruling clear:
“Remove that smirk — or I’ll have you removed.”
The laughter stopped. Fas The Video Everyone’s Talking About
Clips from inside the courtroom — now circulating online — show the exact moment the accused security guard is confronted. His expression quickly shifts from smug confidence to stone-cold panic.
Social media, of course, had thoughts.
“Imagine killing a homeless man and laughing about it like it’s a game. Absolute monster.” — @JusticeForElijah
“Big respect to the judge. That man deserved to be humbled.” — @CourtWatchDaily
“Smiling while a family cries over a lost brother. That’s sociopath energy.” — @TrueCrimeTok
The Case So Far
- The incident: The shooting occurred in January outside a 24-hour corner store. CCTV allegedly shows the victim walking away when shots began.
- The defense claims the guard acted in “self-defense,” though no weapon was found on the victim.
- Prosecutors call it an “execution fueled by bias and power.” A Life Lost — and A Family Fighting Back
Elijah Moore was described by friends as “gentle, funny, and kind, even when life was cruel.” He had struggled with mental health issues and housing insecurity but was actively trying to get help, according to community advocates.
His sister, who has spoken out multiple times since the trial began, said:
“He didn’t deserve to die like that. And to laugh about it in court? That’s evil. But we’ll get justice. We have to.”
