A series of shootings in Clay County, Mississippi, on Friday, resulted in the deaths of six individuals. Daricka Moore, 24, has been taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident, which spanned three locations. Authorities have not yet identified a motive for the shootings.
Incident Details
The shootings occurred on Friday evening, with authorities receiving initial reports shortly before 7 p.m. in the rural community of Cedarbluff, located west of West Point. Six individuals were fatally shot. Daricka Moore, 24, was apprehended by law enforcement nearby just before midnight and identified as the suspect.
Sequence of Events
According to the Clay County Sheriff's office:
- First Location: The incident reportedly began when Moore fatally shot his father, uncle, and brother in the head. Investigators believe Moore acted alone in these initial shootings.
- Travel and Second Location: Moore then allegedly stole his brother's truck and proceeded to a second location. At this site, witnesses reported that Moore attempted sexual battery on a victim before fatally shooting a 7-year-old girl in the head. Two other children and their mother were present in the home, and a second, younger child was reportedly threatened with a gun. The 7-year-old victim was a relative of Moore.
- Third Location and Apprehension: Following a 911 call, law enforcement were directed to a third location where two additional men were discovered deceased from gunshot wounds. These two victims were identified as brothers, one of whom was a local pastor. The relationship between Moore and these two victims is currently unclear. Moore was apprehended shortly before midnight.
Victims
The six victims included a 7-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man. Among the deceased were Moore's father, uncle, and brother. The 7-year-old victim was also identified as a relative of Moore. At the third location, two brothers, one a local pastor, were found deceased. No other injuries were reported during the incidents.
Investigation and Charges
Daricka Moore has been charged with first-degree murder, and authorities anticipate that this charge will be upgraded to capital murder, with additional charges expected to be filed. District Attorney Scott Colom has indicated that his office intends to pursue the death penalty against Moore, citing the number of fatalities across multiple scenes. Online court records for Moore show no prior criminal history. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott stated that the motive for the killings, particularly that of the 7-year-old victim, is not known. Autopsies are scheduled to be conducted by the Mississippi Crime Lab.