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Justice for Kaden Moses Protesters Want Action in Death of 14-Year-Old Kaden Moses

By James Seidel
Crime and Cask News Network

LAURENS, S.C. — More than a year after 14-year-old was shot and killed inside his bedroom, family members, friends, and supporters gathered outside the Hillcrest Square Judicial Center on Saturday to demand accountability from law enforcement and prosecutors.

The “Justice for Kaden” rally began at 11 a.m. and brought together not only Kaden’s supporters but also two other grieving families from Clinton who are still waiting for justice in their own sons’ deaths.

The Case That Sparked a Movement

Kaden Moses was killed on December 30, 2023, at his home in Clinton, South Carolina. According to initial reports, Kaden was in his room playing video games with a friend when he was shot in the head with a .243 bolt-action rifle. The Laurens County Coroner’s Office ruled Kaden’s death a homicide, officially listing the cause as “shot by another person.”

Despite that ruling — and forensic evidence indicating the position of the shooter — no one has been arrested or charged. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated the case but later closed it, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

Kaden’s family, however, believes the friend who was in the room that night should be charged and held accountable in Family Court.

A Rally Fueled by Grief and Frustration

Holding signs and wearing shirts emblazoned with Kaden’s face, protesters stood on Hillcrest Drive, demanding answers from Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo and SLED investigators.

“We will not be silent while Kaden’s death is swept under the rug,” said Erika Moses, Kaden’s mother, speaking to the crowd. “We know what happened in that room. We have the evidence. We need the system to do its job.”

Organizers secured permission from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office to use the parking area until 1 p.m., though some protesters stayed longer after Fox Carolina showed up to do interviews. Vic McDonald, editor at The Clinton Chronicle was also there to cover the protest and Kaden’s story.

A Case Closed, But Questions Remain

Letters from both SLED officials and state prosecutors to Kaden’s family state that the case is considered closed, pending the discovery of new evidence. But in a private meeting on Wednesday, Kaden’s family and their legal team pressed prosecutors to reconsider.

“The prosecutors have a decision to make,” said the family’s attorney following that meeting. “This case deserves to be heard — at the very least, in Family Court.”

Attorney Lori Murray spoke at the event, “The Solicitor’s office knows that this young boy shot Kaden with the rifle,” Murray said.

The Role of Crime and Cask

Kaden’s story first caught the attention of Crime and Cask in August 2024, after Kaden’s mother reached out directly via TikTok — the platform where Crime and Cask first made its name during the Alex Murdaugh trial. James Seidel’s independent investigation into Kaden’s death revealed troubling inconsistencies in the official timeline and gaps in the initial investigation, including:

No gunshot residue (GSR) testing performed on the friend present in the room.
Clothing evidence potentially destroyed or tampered with by the friend’s family.
Failure to immediately separate and interview witnesses the night of the shooting.
Conflicting witness statements about the sequence of events after the gunshot.

Seidel’s reporting amplified the family’s demand for justice, helping turn Kaden’s case into a viral TikTok campaign and generating a petition with thousands of signatures calling for the case to be reopened.

A Pattern of Delays and Doubts

This case is not the first time Crime and Cask has uncovered irregularities in South Carolina investigations. From the Murdaugh murders to the suspicious 2015 death of Stephen Smith, Seidel has repeatedly exposed a troubling pattern where power, influence, or institutional complacency blocks families from getting the justice they deserve.

“The lack of urgency in Kaden’s case is exactly why independent journalism matters,” Seidel said. “When institutions fail families, it’s our job to dig until the truth is unavoidable.”

Connecting the Dots

As part of CC News Network’s broader mission, Seidel has also highlighted how South Carolina’s deep history of violence, corruption, and hidden power structures ties into modern cases like Kaden’s. From Revolutionary War ambushes at Parker’s Ferry to the centuries-old political families who still hold influence today, Seidel’s work places today’s fights for justice in the context of South Carolina’s long battle between truth and power.

Voices of Support

At Saturday’s rally, Seton Tucker of the Impact of Influence Podcast joined Seidel and Erika Moses to address the crowd. Tucker has also covered Kaden’s case extensively, helping bring national attention to the family’s fight for answers.

“If this can happen to Kaden, it can happen to anyone,” Tucker said. “This family deserves more than silence from the system.”

James Siedel, Seton Tucker, Erikia Moses and Lori Murray at the Kaden Moses Protest

What Happens Next?

While Kaden’s case remains technically closed, the public pressure campaign is just beginning. The Moses family is working with attorneys to petition for a new review and a potential Family Court action to hold the shooter accountable.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Erika Moses said. “We owe it to Kaden to make sure no other family has to stand in this parking lot begging for justice.”

@crimeandcask BREAKING NEWS 80 people gathered today in Laurens, SC at the courthouse, demanding justice for the life of 14-year-old Kaden Moses. The community is standing strong, refusing to back down until answers come. This is what justice real looks like. #JusticeForKaden #kadenmoses #LaurensSC #CrimeAndCask #BreakingNews #lawyerlori #sc #fyp #southcarolina #truecrime @Erika M @Seton Tucker @LawyerLori @WLUK FOX 11 News ♬ I Won’t Back Down – Album Version – Johnny Cash

A Call to Action

Supporters can join the fight for Kaden by:
✅ Signing the Justice for Kaden petition on Change.org.
✅ Following CC News Network for updates and new developments.
✅ Attending future rallies and public hearings.

Crime and Cask News Network will continue to follow Kaden’s case, providing fact-based, independent reporting as the fight for justice unfolds.

James Seidel’s investigative work has been featured on Fox News, Law & Crime, Court TV, Newsweek, The Daily Mail, and more. CC News Network remains dedicated to delivering fair, fearless, and factual reporting across South Carolina and beyond.