A shooting rampage in rural Mississippi has left six people dead, including a seven-year-old girl. The suspect, Daricka M. Moore, 24, is charged with multiple counts of murder after a violent series of events unfolded on the evening of March 24, 2023. Authorities reported that the victims included Moore’s father, brother, uncle, and a church pastor along with the pastor’s brother.
The incidents occurred at three separate locations in Clay County, approximately 125 miles northeast of Jackson. According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the rampage began at the family’s mobile home, where Moore allegedly killed his father, Glenn Moore, 67; his brother, Quinton Moore, 33; and his uncle, Willie Ed Guines, 55. After the initial attacks, Moore reportedly stole his brother’s truck and drove to another relative’s house, where he fatally shot his seven-year-old cousin after an attempted sexual assault.
The sheriff, Eddie Scott, stated that witnesses confirmed Moore was the only shooter and that no other injuries were reported. “A situation like this, you’ve got a family member attacking their own family,” he said during a press conference. Investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the shootings.
After the shooting at his cousin’s home, Moore drove to the Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus, where he allegedly broke into a residence and killed the church’s pastor, Rev. Barry Bradley, and his brother, Samuel Bradley. The church leaders often spent weekends on the church grounds, according to local reports.
Moore was apprehended shortly before midnight at a police roadblock in Cedarbluff. He was found in possession of a rifle and a handgun, raising questions about where he obtained the firearms. He is currently being held without bail at the Clay County jail and is expected to appear before a judge on Monday, March 27.
Clay County District Attorney Scott Colom has indicated his intention to pursue the death penalty in this case. “Six people, one night, several different scenes, it’s about as bad as it gets,” Colom remarked, confirming that the prosecution has adequate resources to handle the charges.
The community is grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy. Sheriff Scott noted that the surviving relatives are “overwhelmed with grief,” adding, “it has really shaken our community.” The state medical examiner is conducting autopsies on the victims, and local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shootings.
