Pastor forgives teen after armed carjacking incident in Baltimore

In June 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland, a Bishop-Elect from a Connecticut church, Kenneth Moales Jr., was carjacked at gunpoint while visiting the city for a funeral. The incident occurred on June 29, as he arrived at a local restaurant in the Upper Fells Point neighborhood. During the carjacking, three male suspects approached his vehicle, and one asked for the time. As the pastor rolled down his window, the assailant brandished a handgun, leading to a brief physical confrontation as Moales attempted to resist. While the pastor sustained non-life-threatening injuries, his vehicle was later found by police the next day. Baltimore Police arrested a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 19-year-old in connection to the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding juvenile crime in the area. As carjackings involving juveniles become an alarming issue despite a generally improving crime rate in the city, community leaders are calling for greater accountability and solutions to prevent repeat offenses. After the incident, Bishop-Elect Moales expressed his desire to be part of the trial and to testify, showing a remarkable level of forgiveness towards the 16-year-old who assaulted him. He referred to the choices made by youth today as frustrating but indicative of a broader generational challenge. The pastor spoke positively about the quick police response and stated that his church would continue to advocate for positive changes in the community.