Tragic Rampage in Mississippi Claims Six Lives, Suspect Apprehended

Sun Jan 11 2026 12:06:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A man is in custody after allegedly killing six relatives, including a child and a pastor, during a violent spree across multiple locations in Mississippi. The district attorney is considering pursuing the death penalty.

A 24-year-old man in Mississippi has been arrested for a horrific shooting spree that left six family members dead, including a 7-year-old girl. The violence took place over several locations, prompting immediate law enforcement action. Authorities are investigating the motive behind these tragic events and discussing potential capital murder charges.

WEST POINT, Miss. — A 24-year-old Mississippi man has been arrested after a fatal shooting rampage that resulted in the deaths of six people, including his father, brother, uncle, and a 7-year-old cousin, as well as a pastor and the pastor's brother. The shootings occurred at multiple locations on a Friday night.

Daricka M. Moore was apprehended at a police roadblock in Cedarbluff shortly before midnight, following extensive coverage by local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel in the area.

Currently, Moore is being held without bail at the Clay County jail in West Point on murder charges, with an initial court appearance expected on Monday. Clay County District Attorney Scott Colom indicated that they are weighing the possibility of pursuing the death penalty in this case.

If the charges escalate to capital murder, Moore will not be eligible for bail, Colom stated.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott confirmed that evidence and witnesses suggest Moore acted alone, and no other individuals have been reported injured during the incidents. The sheriff expressed hope that investigators would uncover the motive behind these tragic events.

This situation involves a family member attacking their own family, Scott said. We are hoping to understand the reasons behind this terrible act.

The unsettling incidents began with the murder of Moore's immediate family members at their mobile home. Subsequently, Moore reportedly targeted his cousin's residence, where witnesses claimed he attempted to force entry and subsequently shot his young cousin.

In a horrifying sequence of events, Moore then drove to a nearby church, breaking in and killing the pastor and his brother before stealing one of their vehicles. Officials are investigating how Moore obtained the firearms involved in the killings.

The state medical examiner is conducting autopsies on the victims as the community grapples with the profound shock and grief resulting from this violence. Local officials emphasized the need for support for the surviving family members.