Vigil Held for Stabbing Victim

Beneath the glowing-red Walmart sign, just yards from where David “DJ” Moultrie collapsed and died, mourners gathered Monday to remember the 20-year-old Walmart cart pusher who police say was killed by an acquaintance just five days earlier.

The message at the twilight prayer vigil: the young Mount Pleasant man died unnecessarily, and the community should rally now to prevent another needless death to violence.

“God chose David to teach each and everyone last one of a lesson,” said Anthony Cummings, a local barber and a counselor with B.I.G. U.N.C.L.E., a youth mentoring program. “It’s time for a change, everybody. We all need to try and save all of our youths from this.”

Nearly a week later, one family member said they know little about what led to Moultrie’s death. Police have arrested and charged 18-year-old Darius Green of Awendaw with the homicide.

Mount Pleasant police have said only that Green and Moultrie knew one another and were engaged in some sort of altercation just before Moultrie collapsed in the store lobby and died.

David “is not here to tell us what happened,” said Geneva Gathers, Moultrie’s great aunt. “It’s very hard not knowing.”

The ordeal has been tough on Walmart employees. Previously, store representatives said counselors were brought in to offer assistance to mourning co-workers.

“He was a bright young man; very polite, very respectful,” said store manager Keith Lunsford. “He was highly thought of by the associates and the customers. We are very saddened by the loss.”

Green has reportedly admitted to police that he stabbed Moultrie, but no motive has been given. At Monday’s vigil, there was grief for the loss both young men.

“This has created family problems; the boy’s and our family,” Gathers said, referring to Green.

“We can’t let this happen again,” said Juanita Green, who also works with B.I.G. U.N.C.L.E. “We have two lives lost, two lives lost under the age of 21. … We need community members to make a difference, not just people who live in the community.”

Moultrie’s funeral is planned for noon Wednesday at Greater Goodwill AME Church in Mount Pleasant.