WILMINGTON — District Attorney Ben David’s office agreed to drop attempted murder charges as well as two assault charges in a plea deal with a Wilmington man who participated in a violent home invasion that left one dead.
“Rashiem Mooring, age 26, will serve up to eight years in prison after pleading no contest to two counts of Attempted Armed Robbery, one count of First Degree Burglary, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon for his role in the crime. Attempted Murder charges and two assault charges were dismissed as part of his plea agreement,” according to a press release from David.
The incident took place on Silver Lake Road on Christmas Eve in 2017 when Mooring and two men forced their way into a home opening fire on the homeowner and a woman.
“The homeowner, who was also armed, fired several shots in return. Hakim Hanifah, who was with Mooring at the time, was struck by one bullet and died just outside of the home. A pistol was found beside his body. Investigators believe that Mooring either shot himself in the hand during the incident or was shot by the homeowner, as well. He managed to escape from the scene that night, but DNA evidence taken from blood left at the scene connected him to the crimes. Detectives also used cell phone records and a surveillance video from a nearby store to help strengthen their case against Mooring and Hanifah. A third suspect believed to have been involved in the home invasion was never charged,” the release concluded.
