Gunman kills 6 including 7-year-old in Mississippi mass shooting

Gunman Kills Six People in Mississippi Shooting Spree

Police report that a gunman killed six individuals, including a seven-year-old girl, during a shooting spree across three locations in Mississippi late Friday.

Charges Filed Against Daricka Moore

Daricka Moore, 24, has been charged with first-degree murder. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott stated at a Saturday press conference that this charge “will be upgraded here shortly to capital murder.” Additional murder charges are expected, he noted.

Details of the Shooting

Scott explained that the alleged spree began in Cedar Bluff. Moore is accused of fatally shooting three family members: his father, 67-year-old Glen Moore; his brother, 33-year-old Quintin Moore; and his uncle, 55-year-old Willie Guines.

Moore is then accused of stealing his brother’s truck and driving to another home, where police first received a 911 call. At this home, Moore allegedly shot and killed a seven-year-old girl he was related to. He is also accused of “attempting to commit a sexual battery while armed with a handgun” at the scene.

Scott stated that Moore then traveled to a third location, where police received another 911 call. There, Moore is accused of fatally shooting two adult men from Columbus: Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley. One of the victims was a pastor, according to Scott.

Arrest and Investigation

Moore was later arrested “without incident” in western Clay County. Investigators believe Moore was the only shooter, but the motive remains unclear.

“Personally, I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a seven-year-old,” Scott told reporters.

Upcoming Hearing and Family Grief

A preliminary hearing is set for Monday. It is unclear if Moore has retained an attorney. The Independent could not identify his attorney for comment.

Moore’s surviving family members are experiencing “overwhelming grief,” Scott said. He described the scene, stating, “Just to be there looking at these family members trying to, first of all, grieve the loss of their loved one and then finding out who it was that committed this, another family member — I mean, it was overwhelming to everybody.”

Community Response

The sheriff called this case one of the “toughest to work” in his 30-year career. Scott first shared news of the shooting spree around midnight, stating, “Unfortunately tonight we have dealt with tragedy in our community. Multiple innocent lives lost due to violence.”

He added, “I ask that you lift our victims and their families in your prayers.”

Summary of Events