Daricka M. Moore, 24, is charged with killing six people across multiple rural locations in Clay County, Mississippi, including three relatives, a 7-year-old cousin and a church pastor. Moore was arrested at a roadblock about four and a half hours after the first 911 call and is held without bail. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty; investigators are conducting autopsies and reviewing evidence to determine a motive and how Moore obtained the weapons.
Mississippi Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty After Deadly Rural Rampage Kills Six, Including Child and Pastor
Mississippi prosecutors to seek death penalty against man accused of deadly rampage that included girl, pastor
A 24-year-old man, Daricka M. Moore, has been charged in a series of killings that left six people dead across rural Clay County, Mississippi, authorities said. The victims include three of Moore’s relatives, a 7-year-old cousin and two men who served at a small local church. Prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty.
What Happened
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott and District Attorney Scott Colom said investigators believe the attacks took place over multiple locations on Friday night, moving across fields, woods and modest homes in a rural area. Officials say the first shootings occurred inside a family mobile home; the later incidents included an apparent attempted sexual battery at a cousin’s home and fatal shootings at a small church property.
This photo provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office shows Daricka M. Moore at the Clay County jail in West Point, Mississippi, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
Victims and Timeline
- Glenn Moore, 67 (father)
- Quinton Moore, 33 (brother)
- Willie Ed Guines, 55 (uncle)
- A 7-year-old female cousin
- The Rev. Barry Bradley (pastor)
- Samuel Bradley (pastor’s brother)
Authorities say Moore allegedly stole his brother’s truck after the initial shootings, forced entry into a cousin’s home where he attempted a sexual assault and fatally shot the 7-year-old. He later went to the Apostolic Church Of The Lord Jesus property, where the pastor and his brother were killed and a vehicle was taken.
Arrest and Evidence
After a multi-jurisdictional search involving local, state and federal officers, Moore was arrested at a police roadblock in Cedarbluff at about 11:24 p.m., roughly four and a half hours after the first 911 call. Officials say he was armed with a rifle and a handgun; investigators are working to determine how he obtained the weapons.
Authorities arrested Moore at a roadblock at 11:24 p.m., about four and a half hours after the first 911 call, Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said.
"A situation like this, you’ve got a family member attacking their own family," Sheriff Eddie Scott said. "Whatever the reason is, we’re hoping that we’ll find out."
Legal Response and Next Steps
Moore is being held without bail at the Clay County jail and is expected to make an initial court appearance on Monday, where he will likely be appointed a public defender. District Attorney Scott Colom said his office plans to pursue capital charges and that, if prosecutors upgrade the counts to capital murder before the hearing, Moore would be ineligible for bail under state law.
The state medical examiner is conducting autopsies on all six victims. Investigators continue to question Moore and to review physical evidence and witness statements, but a motive has not been determined.
Community Impact
Sheriff Scott said the shootings have left the family and the small community deeply shaken and grieving. Local officials emphasized they are coordinating resources for the prosecution and the community response.
Source: Associated Press reporting and statements from Clay County law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office.
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