Tragedy Strikes Rural Mississippi: 24-Year-Old Charged in Deadly Shooting Spree That Claims Six Lives, Including Child

WEST POINT, Miss. — A quiet rural community in northeast Mississippi was shattered Friday night when a series of shootings across three locations left six people dead, including a 7-year-old girl, authorities announced Saturday.

The suspect, 24-year-old Daricka M. Moore, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors have indicated the charge will likely be upgraded to capital murder, with additional counts expected as the investigation continues. District Attorney Scott Colom has stated intentions to pursue the death penalty if Moore is deemed eligible.

The rampage began shortly before 7 p.m. at a family residence on David Hill Road in the Cedarbluff area of Clay County, west of West Point. According to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott, Moore allegedly shot and killed three relatives — his father, Glenn Moore, 67; his brother, Quinten Moore, 33; and his uncle, Willie Ed Guines, 55 — each fatally wounded in the head.

Moore then reportedly stole his brother's Ford F-150 truck and drove to a second location on Blake Road, where he forced entry into a home. There, he allegedly attempted sexual battery before shooting the 7-year-old girl — identified as his second cousin — in front of witnesses. Sheriff Scott described the scene as profoundly disturbing, noting that Moore also placed a gun to the head of another younger child present in the home. It remains unclear whether the weapon misfired or if the trigger was not pulled. A mother and third child were also in the residence during the attack.

The suspect then proceeded to a third site near the Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus, where he allegedly broke into a residence and killed two brothers: local pastor Rev. Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley. Some members of Moore's family reportedly attended the church, though the exact connection to the final victims is still under review.

Dozens of officers from local, state, and federal agencies — including the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Marshals — converged on the area. Moore was apprehended at a police roadblock around 11:24 p.m. near the second shooting scene, approximately four-and-a-half hours after the first emergency call. He was armed with a rifle and a handgun at the time of arrest, officials said.

"This is one of the most heinous cases we've seen," Sheriff Scott said during a Saturday news conference. "I don't know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old." He emphasized that Moore had no prior criminal record or known interactions with law enforcement, describing the attacks as a shocking betrayal within a family. "A situation like this, you've got a family member attacking their own family," Scott added.

The motive remains unknown, and investigators continue to interview Moore and witnesses. Autopsies are being conducted by the state medical examiner.

Surviving relatives are reeling from the loss, with Scott noting the community has been "shaken" by the violence. No other injuries were reported beyond the six fatalities.Moore is being held without bail at the Clay County jail in West Point ahead of an initial court appearance scheduled for Monday. Officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing, and further details may emerge as charges are formalized.

17GEN4.com