Under normal circumstances, Kelsey Moore, an 18-year-old from Collinwood, would have played in the Collinwood High School Trojans baseball game on Thursday. Even more exciting, he would have attended his Senior Prom on Friday. However, Kelsey was unable to attend either one due to a violent attack that took place on Easter Sunday.
Warrants from the Collinwood Police Department state that Brandison (Dru) Daniel, age 20, from Cypress Inn, paid a juvenile $20 to physically assault Moore in the gravel parking lot known as the Crawdad Hole in Collinwood. This is a popular gathering place for Collinwood youth, and there were many allegedly gathered there at the time of the assault.
The assault, which has been called “brutal” by many, was captured on video and has been widely shared on multiple social media platforms.
Court records state that Daniel is charged with two felony counts: Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault and Criminal Responsibility for Facilitation of a Felony. Daniel was taken into custody and released after posting a $100,000 bond. The juvenile who allegedly committed the assault is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility.
The assault is still under investigation, a process that may take some time due to the involvement of juveniles. No information has yet been released by law enforcement regarding the status of the juvenile who allegedly committed the assault, or whether there are more arrests coming.
Kelsey suffered multiple facial fractures along with a fractured vertebra in his neck. He underwent an extensive surgery to place titanium plates in his face and head, and will be in a neck brace for several weeks.
District Attorney Brent Cooper provided Nashville’s Fox 17 News with a statement: “This was a completely senseless act which will drastically alter the future of all involved. This appears to be one of those spur of the moment decisions with terrible consequences. We are praying for a full recovery for the victim.”
Kelsey’s mother, Christi Moore, has been by his side since the assault took place. She said that the past several days have been a nightmare for their family. Christi said doctors released Kelsey from TriStar Skyline Medical Center on Thursday, and he is now recuperating at home.
“Oh how I wish we could rewind to last Sunday prior to this horrible incident and the pain & suffering it has caused,” Christi stated. “He did a prom proposal, and the girl that he’s been friends with his whole life, she’s taking a picture of him there. It’s the picture that we took on Easter. She’s taking it with her to prom, I guess to sit at the table so he’ll be there, just not physically be there,” Christi explained. Kelsey was indeed voted to be the 2022 CHS Honorary Prom King, even though he couldn’t attend the event in person.
Kelsey’s mom later posted on her social media accounts, “Also, please pray for all involved. Each family is hurting, just in different ways. Our community needs love, not more hatefulness & violence. Pray for investigators as they work endless hours. I beg all young men involved to simply tell the truth!”
