Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder
By Associated Press
UPDATE:
WEST POINT, Miss. (AP) — 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. The youngest victim was a cousin of the suspect.
“I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” Scott said at a press conference Saturday.
The suspect was identified as Daricka M. Moore. He faces a first-degree murder charge that could be upgraded to capital murder, Scott said. Moore may face additional murder charges as the investigation proceeds.
The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, west of the county seat of West Point.
“This guy (the suspect) wasn’t our radar,” Scott said. “This is family members that he went after.”
Online court records in Clay County show Moore has no previous criminal charges.
“A situation like this, you’ve got a family member attacking their own family,” Scott said. “Whatever the reason is, we’re hoping that we’ll find out.”
Scott said investigators believe Moore placed a gun to the head of a younger child at the home where the 7-year-old died. Investigators aren’t sure whether the gun misfired. A third young child and their mother was present in that house as well.
The 7-year-old victim was Moore’s second cousin, Scott said. Investigators hope to have more information and upgraded charges by the time Moore appears before a judge. An initial appearance is scheduled for Monday.
Scott said no other injuries have been reported beyond the six deaths.
Scott said evidence and witnesses indicate Moore was the only shooter.
**Updated to include additional details from the most recent press conference with law enforcement.
ORIGINAL STORY:
WEST POINT, Miss. (AP) — Authorities have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed in a series of related shootings Friday night in northeast Mississippi.
Clay County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Woodruff confirms Daricka M. Moore has been charged in the killings. He was booked into the Clay County jail before dawn Saturday, jail records show.
Woodruff did not say whether Moore had a lawyer representing him.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said in a Facebook post that “multiple innocent lives” were lost “due to violence” in the county, which is about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northeast of Jackson.
The sheriff told WTVA-TV that six people were killed in three locations.
The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, which is west of the county seat of West Point.
“I ask that you lift our victims and their families in your prayers Law Enforcement is busy investigating and will release an update as soon as possible,” he wrote.
The sheriff’s office did not provide further details early Saturday, but planned an afternoon news conference.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirmed it was assisting in the inquiry, but deferred comment to Scott.
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