Mississippi Man Charged After Shooting Rampage Leaves Six Dead Including 7-Year-Old Girl

WEST POINT, MS – A 24-year-old man faces murder charges after authorities say he went on a shooting spree across three locations in Clay County on Friday night, leaving six people dead including a young child.

Daricka Moore was taken into custody shortly after the rampage that claimed the lives of his own father, uncle, and brother at the first location. The violence didn’t stop there. Prosecutors say Moore then drove to a second home where he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a woman before fatally shooting a 7-year-old girl in front of other children and witnesses.

Two more men were found shot to death at a third location, including a local pastor. The victims ranged in age from 7 to 67 years old.

Sheriff Eddie Scott told reporters that the bloodshed began just before 7 p.m. when Moore opened fire on his family members. He allegedly stole his brother’s truck and continued his deadly path through the rural community. Investigators said they still don’t have a clear motive for why Moore turned on his own family or targeted strangers.

“At this point, we do not know a motive for these acts,” Scott said, adding that evidence and witness statements indicate Moore acted alone throughout the evening’s violence.

District Attorney Scott Colom announced his office will seek the death penalty against Moore, calling the crimes among the worst he’s encountered in his career.

“This is about as bad as it gets,” Colom said during a press conference Saturday.

Moore currently faces multiple murder charges, though prosecutors expect to upgrade those to capital murder given the circumstances. He’s being held without bond at the Clay County Jail.

The small community of West Point, home to about 10,000 residents, has been left reeling from the tragedy. Local churches announced plans to hold prayer vigils for the victims’ families throughout the weekend.