Ambush or self defense? Trial begins in 2025 Lorain shootout that killed 2

ELYRIA -- Willie Gaddy Jr. went on trial Monday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court on charges he took part in a gunfight in Lorain a year ago that ended with the death of his teenage brother and another man. Willie Gaddy Jr., 22, is charged with eight felonies: One count of aggravated murder, five counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and firearms specifications in the April 2025 deaths of Larry Moore Jr. and Jayzeir Gaddy. He has pleaded not guilty and was being held in the Lorain County Jail on $500,000 bond. Judge Donna Freeman is presiding over the case. Defense attorney Joseph Morse is expected to argue his client acted in self defense or defense of others. Court records said Willie Gaddy Jr. lives in Lorain. Morse said his client lives in Parma. Willie Gaddy Jr. shot and killed Moore, 21, of Lorain, following a shootout in the area of Tower Boulevard and Oberlin Avenue in Lorain on April 11, 2025. Jayzeir Gaddy, 17, of Avon, died in the same shooting. In his opening statement, Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Matt Kern told jurors that the shooting was an "ambush" that happened because of "pride." He said Willie Gaddy Jr. was leaving a barbershop after a haircut that night when Knowledge King, a rival from Lorain, showed up to get his hair cut. A barber separated the two after they had words, and stopped Jayzeir Gaddy from trying to help his brother, according to court filings. The Gaddys drove around the area and parked, apparently waiting for King, before driving off. They came back to the area 13 minutes later, Kern said. Separately, Moore and at least three other young men pulled up in a car, parked and walked toward the barbershop. The Gaddys then allegedly ambushed that group, according to Kern and court filings. Jayzeir Gaddy hid behind a car, put on a ski mask and fired at Moore four times with a Glock 9 mm handgun fitted with a 30-round extended magazine. Moore was wounded. Someone in his group returned fire, and one of those eight .45-caliber bullets hit Jayzeir Gaddy in the head. Kern said Willie Gaddy Jr. then shot Moore multiple times with a 9 mm Taurus handgun before calling 911. Moore died at the scene. Jayzeir Gaddy died later at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Prosecutors charged Willie Gaddy Jr. with causing his brother's death. Kern said Willie Gaddy Jr. told Lorain police he knew his brother was "going to start some trouble" that night. In his opening statement, Morse criticized the investigation as coming to "a lot of conclusions ... very swiftly." Willie Gaddy Jr. had the legal right to defend his brother, Morse said. Why would he call 911 if he had committed a crime, he asked. The crime scene was a "melee," with evidence trampled, bodies moved and gunmen left unidentified. Morse predicted that by the time they hear all the evidence, jurors will "have more questions than answers." Prior to jury selection, Freeman denied Willie Gaddy Jr.'s requests for a new attorney and a continuance, finding that they were delay tactics and that "ample" case law gave her final say. She also denied two requests by Morse to withdraw from the case. Willie Gaddy Jr.'s mother filed a motion in court Monday morning asking to replace Morse with another attorney and continue the trial. "My current counsel has not visited me at the jail one time, has not shown me discovery, and we have not discussed trial strategy," Willie Gaddy Jr. read from a piece of paper. "I'm asking for a continuance so new counsel can prepare. I'm not trying to delay, I just want a fair trial." Morse said he met with his client, shared evidence with him and that Willie Gaddy Jr. didn't make any complaints. He said attorney-client privilege limited what he could say, but "I fundamentally disagree with what is being stated," Morse told Freeman. Kern called the motion a delay tactic, presenting Freeman with digital evidence that the statement was written by another person. Morse said he was "deeply troubled" that someone may have interfered with discussions between him and his client. "There is an undercurrent here that is very, very disruptive," Morse told Freeman. Kern said Willie Gaddy Jr. rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for life, with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Testimony resumes today. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.