Thursday, October 1, 2026
Shakur Moore treasured the simple things in life. He spent his summers playing handball, indulged in late-night video games with his younger brother, Jalen, and never turned down an opportunity to shoot hoops with friends and family.
Moore was an active and energetic teen who dreamed big. With a passion for basketball, he had aspirations of going to college and then playing in the NBA. If that didn’t work out, his backup plan was to become a physical therapist. Moore was a happy and upbeat teen with goals, which now, to the dismay of many in the community, are unattainable.
The atmosphere was solemn yet celebratory on Monday as more than 100 people filled the gym of the Martin Luther King Center on Riverside Boulevard to honor Moore, a 16-year-old high school student who died on Jan. 27 while playing basketball at the center.
MLK Center personnel performed soothing soul and R&B as children, teens and adults gathered to pay tribute to a young man who, throughout the evening, was described as a good-hearted, quiet yet outgoing teen who loved basketball.
Moore’s family, including his mother, Nicole Jessup, was joined by city officials, Long Beach High School students and faculty during the nearly two-hour service, in which they shared warm embraces and recalled a young man who made friends easily.
Equan Gilbert, 18, said Moore was more like a family member than a friend. “He was so funny,” Gilbert said with a smile, recalling times when he and his friends played basketball with Moore at the center. “I miss him very, very much.”
Many said that the MLK Center was like a second home to Moore, where he made people smile. “He was very laid back. He was always in such a good mood,” said 12-year-old Norman Wilson, who described Moore as trustworthy and dependable. “He was friendly. He was always helping other people.”
Though his sudden death has left many shaken and at a loss for words, Shakur’s cousin Karen Galloway, 25, said his friendly disposition left an indelible mark on those who knew him. “It was nothing but good times with him,” Galloway said. “I’m going to miss him. He’s gone, but never forgotten.”
