A tragic shooting rampage in rural Mississippi claimed the lives of six individuals, including a 7-year-old girl, on the night of March 24, 2023. The suspect, Daricka M. Moore, aged 24, has been charged with multiple counts of murder following the violent incidents that occurred across three locations in Clay County.
The violence began at a family mobile home where Moore allegedly killed his father, Glenn Moore, aged 67, his brother, Quinton Moore, aged 33, and his uncle, Willie Ed Guines, aged 55. Following these killings, Moore reportedly stole his brother’s truck and drove to a cousin’s residence, where he tragically took the life of his 7-year-old cousin, using a firearm.
According to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott, Moore attempted a sexual assault against the young girl before the fatal act. Shockingly, witnesses reported that Moore also threatened another child at the scene but did not shoot. “I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” Scott remarked during a press briefing.
After the incident involving his cousin, Moore allegedly proceeded to the Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus. There, he broke into a residence and killed the church’s pastor, Rev. Barry Bradley, and his brother, Samuel Bradley, before stealing one of their vehicles. The Bradleys, who primarily resided in nearby Columbus, often spent weekends at the church grounds, a place that held significance for some members of the Moore family.
Moore was apprehended by law enforcement at a police roadblock in Cedarbluff just before midnight, approximately four and a half hours after the first shooting was reported. He is currently being held without bail at the Clay County jail and is expected to make his initial court appearance on March 27, 2023. Clay County District Attorney Scott Colom indicated that he plans to seek the death penalty, stating, “Six people, one night, several different scenes, it’s about as bad as it gets.”
Authorities reported that Moore was found in possession of both a rifle and a handgun, and investigations are ongoing to determine how he acquired the weapons. As the state medical examiner conducts autopsies on the victims, the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy. Sheriff Scott noted that the surviving family members are “overwhelmed with grief,” and the incident has deeply affected the local area.
Colom expressed confidence in his office’s ability to pursue a successful prosecution, highlighting the severity of the crime as a key factor in seeking capital charges. The investigation continues as law enforcement evaluates the circumstances surrounding the shootings and seeks to understand the motivation behind such a devastating act of violence.
