Capital murder charge possible
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- A 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder after six people were killed in a series of shootings in northeast Mississippi.
- The victims, including a 7-year-old girl and other family members of the suspect, were shot at three separate locations in Clay County.
- Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killings, which included an alleged attempted sexual assault.
- Prosecutors are working to upgrade the charge to capital murder and will seek the death penalty if the suspect is found eligible.
Authorities arrested and charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed, including a 7-year-old girl, in a series of shootings Friday, Jan. 9, in northeast Mississippi.
The information was disclosed by authorities during a press conference Saturday, Jan. 10.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the victims — some of whom are family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations late Friday night in Clay County.
The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, west of the county seat of West Point. Clay County is roughly 125 miles northeast of Jackson.
Scott identified the shooting shooter as Daricka Moore, 24. Moore was booked into the county jail shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday on a first-degree murder charge. Scott said prosecutors are working to upgrade the charge to capital murder with additional murder charges forthcoming.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive.
Scott described the emotional state of surviving family members as “overwhelmed grief” in the aftermath of the incident.
The first shooting happened Friday at a residence on David Hill Road, where three people were killed. Moore allegedly shot and killed his father, Glen Moore, 67; his uncle Willie Guines, 55; and his brother Quinton Moore, 33.
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Upon arrival, deputies discovered the three men sustained gunshot wounds to the head.
Moore then allegedly stole Quinton’s pickup truck and drove to a home located on Blake Road, where deputies had initially received their first 911 call.
Scott said Clay County E-911 received a call at approximately 6:56 p.m. Friday in regard to gunshot victims at Blake Road. Clay County deputies arrived on the scene at 7:03 p.m. Friday.
Scott said once at that residence on Blake Road, Moore allegedly “forced his way into the home and attempted to commit a sexual battery while armed with a handgun.”
“At some point, Moore, in front of witnesses, allegedly shot and killed a 7-year-old female at the home,” Scott said.
According to authorities, the child suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene. Moore allegedly tried to sexually assault the child prior to killing her.
Investigators said the girl was also related to the suspect but did not release her name.
“Personally, I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” Scott said. “It’s just none out there, that you can explain to me why this would happen.”
It is believed that Moore fled from the Blake Road scene in the stolen vehicle and traveled to a residence on Siloam-Griffith Road, where two people were found dead.
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Deputies were directed to the Griffith Road residence by a 911 call.
Scott said upon arrival, investigators discovered the stolen pickup truck hidden behind the house. While at the home, deputies discovered apparent forced entry into the rear of the residence.
Two deceased males, Berry Bradley and Samuel Bradley, had suffered gunshot wounds to their heads. Both brothers, who are from Columbus, were pronounced dead at the scene.
It is unclear if the brothers had any connection to Moore before the shooting.
Law enforcement captured Moore at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Joe Myers Road. Moore was in a vehicle allegedly stolen from the Siloam-Griffith house.
Moore was taken into custody by members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies.
Scott stated that Moore was not on law enforcement’s “radar” before the shootings, and authorities had no records of prior criminal charges against him.
“We all lift our hearts and prayer for the victims and families,” Scott said. “This has really, really shaken our community. For me, almost 30 years, and this is one of the toughest ones we’ve had to work. Our job right now is to thoroughly investigate and make sure that we get our district attorney’s office everything that they need to prosecute.”
District Attorney Scott Colom, who recently threw his hat into the ring for next year’s U.S. Senate race, spoke at the press conference.
Colom stated that the death penalty will be sought if Moore is found eligible, noting that further investigation and potential mental evaluations must be completed before the district attorney’s office pursues this course of action.
“Typically, I would consult with the victims and, you know, wait down the line. But there’s some cases [where] they’ve got to get the worst punishment. They got to get the worst punishment. Six people, one night, several different scenes. You’ve heard the allegations. They’re about as bad as it gets,” Colom said.
“If he’s eligible, we’re going to go for the death penalty and let a jury decide his fate.”
Authorities said the details shared at the press conference are considered preliminary information and are subject to change.
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.
