Gary Man Charged with Murder After Striking Griffith Business Owner with Car

Atrailu William Moore, 38, allegedly followed and then intentionally hit Tony Pendleton, 59, in a strip mall parking lot.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:30pm

An extreme close-up of a shattered car side mirror reflecting a faint outline of a person, conceptually illustrating the violent nature of a targeted vehicular attack.A recent wave of targeted street violence exposes the dangers of unresolved mental health issues and road rage incidents in local communities.Gary Today

A 38-year-old Gary man has been charged with murder after allegedly following a Griffith business owner through a strip mall parking lot and then intentionally striking him with his vehicle, causing fatal injuries. Atrailu William Moore is accused of targeting and attacking Tony Pendleton, 59, the owner of D'Light Boutique, in a violent incident that was captured on security camera footage.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about road rage incidents and targeted attacks on pedestrians, especially in commercial areas. It also raises questions about mental health, drug use, and the ability of law enforcement to intervene before tragic violence occurs.

The details

According to police, on April 6th around 11:21 AM, Moore followed Pendleton through the parking lot, briefly spoke with him, and then accelerated his red Jeep Grand Cherokee to strike Pendleton, launching him into the air. Pendleton died about 90 minutes later from multiple injuries. Security footage showed Moore then attempting to back over Pendleton, but the victim was able to roll out of the way. Moore initially denied hitting anyone but later claimed he struck a deer. His wife told police he had been acting erratically due to PCP and marijuana use.

  • The incident occurred around 11:21 AM on April 6, 2026 in a strip mall parking lot in Griffith, Indiana.
  • Pendleton died about 90 minutes after being struck by Moore's vehicle.

The players

Atrailu William Moore

A 38-year-old resident of Gary, Indiana who has been charged with murder for allegedly intentionally striking and killing a Griffith business owner with his vehicle.

Tony Pendleton

A 59-year-old business owner from Lynwood, Illinois who owned the D'Light Boutique store located in the strip mall where he was fatally struck by Moore's vehicle.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

Moore is currently in custody at the Lake County Jail. He faces additional charges of obstructing traffic with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. Police are asking anyone with further information on the incident to come forward.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for better mental health resources, drug intervention programs, and de-escalation training for law enforcement to prevent similar road rage incidents from turning deadly in the future.