Zaire Christopher Nelson, 20, faces murder charges in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Aden Gore during a Halloween party altercation at Charleston’s NoMo apartment complex (930 Morrison Drive) around 12:45 a.m. on November 1, 2025.
Incident Sequence
Court records detail a verbal confrontation escalating when Nelson brandished a handgun; Gore walked away but was punched by Nelson’s associate. Nelson then sprinted down the hallway, punched Gore with gun in hand, and fired multiple shots into his back off-camera, as confirmed by security footage and witnesses who briefly held Nelson back. Police rejected Nelson’s claim of defending his injured associate (leg wound), deeming him the primary aggressor.
Charges and Status
Nelson is charged with murder, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, assault and battery of a high/aggravated nature, and pointing/presenting a firearm. He admitted to the shooting but remains at Al Cannon Detention Center without bond as of early February 2026; investigation continues.
