What started as a regular dinner stop in Baltimore turned into a life-threatening encounter for Reverend Kenneth Moales Jr., a respected pastor from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
But instead of simply being a victim, he walked away from the ordeal with bruises, deep reflections—and a mission to do more for troubled youth.
A Gun, a Car, and a Split-Second Decision
Moales, 53, had just arrived outside Angie’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant in Baltimore’s Upper Fells Point after traveling for a funeral.
As he prepared to step out of his car, a teenager approached, pretending to need help.
The moment quickly turned dangerous when the young man suddenly pulled up a ski mask and pointed a handgun directly at him.
In that flash, Moales said only one thing was on his mind: survival.
“I’m thinking about my wife, my children… I just wanted to make it home.”
From Fear to Fight Mode
Though he had never intended to be a hero, instinct kicked in. Moales noticed the teen’s size and knew he might be able to overpower him.
Once the door opened, things escalated fast—the young man pistol-whipped the pastor, sparking a wild struggle right in the rain-soaked street.
Dramatic video shows Moales leaping from the vehicle, tackling the armed suspect to the ground, and wrestling the weapon away—all in under 20 seconds.
A Moment of Mercy That Backfired
Despite the chaos, once the gun was out of reach and the teen pinned, Moales paused.
He realized the carjacker was just 16 years old. Instead of anger, he offered the boy a chance to walk away without police involvement.
“I said, ‘I’m a pastor. I’m not going to hurt you. I won’t press charges. Let’s stop this.’”
But the teen wasn’t interested in second chances.
He broke free, jumped back into the Audi, and sped off—leaving Moales stunned in the street.
“That’s what hurt the most. Not the car, not the fight.
But the fact that even after knowing I was a pastor, he didn’t care.”
Stolen Car Recovered, Suspects Arrested
Police located the silver Audi just hours later in the 600 block of South Broadway, but the suspects attempted to flee on foot.
The 16-year-old was arrested alongside a 15-year-old and 19-year-old Mehkai Tindal.
According to authorities, Tindal was already facing assault charges and had multiple car keys on him at the time of arrest.
He is currently being held without bail, while the younger suspects face auto theft charges.
A Pastor Reflects on a Generation in Crisis
Moales says he’s already forgiven the teen, but the incident left him deeply shaken—not just physically, but spiritually.
“This is a godless generation,” he said.
“There’s no reverence, no respect… and that breaks my heart.”
He believes what happened is part of a bigger problem, one that isn’t limited to Baltimore.
“I need to work even harder with the youth in Bridgeport.
So many kids are lost. This isn’t about one kid—it’s about a whole generation that feels hopeless.”
A Family’s Fear and Understanding
Moales was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, where he called his wife, Ena.
While shaken, she said she came to understand his reaction.
“When someone has a gun, you’re supposed to obey and stay safe,” she said.
“But hearing him explain what happened… I get it now. He did what he had to do.”
Moving Forward With Forgiveness and Purpose
Now back home in Connecticut, the pastor is using his platform to not just tell his story, but to push for change—especially in communities where young people feel like they have nothing to lose.
“This wasn’t just about a car. This was a wake-up call.
We need to reach these kids before they reach for guns.”