A 24-year-old man in Mississippi has been charged with first-degree murder following a horrific shooting spree that left six people dead, including his own father, brother, and a seven-year-old girl.
A Night of Unprecedented Violence
Authorities in Clay county say the violence began on Friday evening shortly before 7pm at a residence on David Hill Road. Daricka Moore, 24, is alleged to have shot and killed three relatives there: his 67-year-old father, Glen Moore; his 33-year-old brother, Quinton Moore; and his 55-year-old uncle, Willie Guines.
According to Clay county sheriff Eddie Scott, Moore then stole a truck and drove to a home on Blake Road. There, he is accused of forcing his way inside and attempting to sexually assault a seven-year-old girl, who was related to him, before shooting her. Deputies later discovered the child's body at that location.
Further Attacks and Arrest
Investigators believe Moore then travelled to a third property on Siloam-Griffith Road, driving a Ford F-150 belonging to his deceased brother. At that home, deputies found the stolen truck hidden behind the residence and the bodies of two more victims: Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley. Sheriff Scott confirmed that one of the men was a pastor at a local church. It remains unclear if the Bradleys had any prior relationship with the suspect.
Moore was finally taken into custody just before midnight at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Joe Myers Road. He was driving a vehicle taken from the Siloam-Griffith Road home.
Community Reeling as Capital Murder Charges Loom
Officials have stated that the initial first-degree murder charge against Moore is expected to be elevated to capital murder. Prosecutors have confirmed they will consider seeking the death penalty if Moore is found to be mentally competent.
Scott Colom, the district attorney for Mississippi’s 16th circuit court, which includes Clay county, described the incident as "horrific." He added, "It’s about as bad as it gets." Sheriff Scott, with 30 years of service, said this case marked "one of the toughest ones we had to work."
"This has really shaken our community," Scott told a press conference on Saturday. "Personally, I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a seven-year-old." The motive for the killings is still under investigation, and autopsies will be conducted by the Mississippi crime lab.
Daricka Moore is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday.
