DOCUMENT: Crime

Felon Sought In Sucker Punching Of Boy, 12

Assault was captured on Facebook Live stream

JULY 7--Police are searching for a convicted felon who sucker punched a 12-year-old boy while the child was dancing on a Missouri street corner, an attack that was captured on a Facebook Live broadcast.

Investigators allege that Cedric Moore, 27, walloped the child as he performed Friday evening in downtown Cape Girardeau. The boy was accompanied by his dance instructor and another minor.

Moore has been named in an arrest warrant accusing him of second-degree felony assault and first-degree child endangerment in connection with the unprovoked July 4 attack on Ethan Hagler.

Moore is pictured in the adjacent mugshot. When apprehended, he will have to post $50,000 bond to gain his release from jail.

As seen in the Facebook video, Moore exited from the passenger side of an SUV and approached Hagler from behind before striking the boy in the head with a roundhouse right. Hagler, bleeding from the head and nose, was treated for his injuries at a local hospital and later released.

Video of the assault allowed police to quickly identify Moore as the assailant. The identity of his getaway driver is unknown.

Moore was convicted last year of domestic assault, and was placed on five years probation in that felony case. So in addition to charges related to the assault of Hagler, Moore is likely to face a probation violation count related to his 2019 case.

As part of his probation conditions, Moore was required to complete an anger management program and a “Batterer's Program.”