Six killed, including a 7-year-old child, suspect charged with murder
Authorities have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people, including a child, were killed in a series of shootings in northeast Mississippi.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the victims – four family members related to the suspect and two other adults – were shot at three separate locations late Friday (Saturday AEDT). The youngest victim was the suspect’s cousin.
“I don’t know what kind of reason you could have to kill a 7-year-old child,” Scott said at a news conference Saturday.
The suspect was identified as Daricka M. Moore. He faces a first-degree murder charge, which could be upgraded to capital murder, Scott said. Moore may face additional murder charges as the investigation progresses.
The shootings took place in rural Cedarbluff, west of West Point County.
“This guy (the suspect) was not on our radar,” Scott said. “These are family members he went after.”
Online court records in Clay County show Moore has not previously been charged with any charges.
“In a situation like this, you have a family member attacking his own family,” Scott said. “Whatever the reason, we hope to find out.”
Investigators believe Moore held a gun to a young child’s head in the home where the 7-year-old died, Scott said. Investigators are not sure if the gun was fired. There was also a third little child and their mother in that house.
The 7-year-old victim was Moore’s second cousin, Scott said. Investigators hope to learn more information and have charges increased by the time Moore appears in court. The first appearance is scheduled for Monday.
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