19-year-old arrested for murder of Jimmy McClain

(WMC-TV) - A 19-year-old man is charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Ridgeway High School's basketball coach Jimmy McClain.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office says they arrested Dwayne Moore, who is McClain's stepson. Moore is the son of McClain's estranged wife.

The 49-year-old coach was found dead inside his Cordova home in February. He had been shot multiple times with a .40 caliber gun.

Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham says early interviews led investigators to Moore within two days of the crime.

Investigators did not release what the motive for the murder could have been but they did say the suspect was not necessarily an invited guest at McClain's house at the time of the shooting. They believe McClain was surprised by Moore being in his home.

But Moore's defense attorney says his client and McClain were not at odds.

"I know that definitely he did not have any sort of problems with the stepfather and it's my understanding that they're a regular middle class family and he's been a regular middle class kid," said defense attorney John Perry.

Moore lived with McClain for some of his teenage years and had access to the house.

When he was officially charged with the murder, Moore was already behind bars at 201 Poplar on a burglary charge in which he is accused of stealing an AR-15 Bushmaster assault rifle. Investigators say that was not the murder weapon.

They also say they are still looking into whether anyone else was involved in the murder.

McClain was not only a basketball coach, but also a pastor at a church in Arkansas.

"Mr. McClain was a good person," said Lt. Kevin Helms, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. "It's a bittersweet moment for us and his family."

Investigators say Moore and this murder are in no way connected to Ridgeway High School.

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