Additional Coverage:
WEST POINT, Miss. – A tragic series of related shootings in eastern Mississippi has left six people dead, including a child, and one person in custody. Authorities have identified the suspect as 24-year-old Daricka M. Moore.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott confirmed the arrests via a Facebook post, stating that “multiple innocent lives” were lost “due to violence” in the West Point area, which is near the Alabama border. Sheriff Scott assured the community that the suspect is in custody and there is no ongoing threat.
During an afternoon news conference on Saturday, Sheriff Scott revealed that the victims, who were family members related to the suspect, were shot at three separate locations late Friday. Among the victims was a 7-year-old child. “I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” the sheriff commented, highlighting the senseless nature of the crime.
Further details from the sheriff’s office were not immediately available Saturday morning.
Moore is currently facing a first-degree murder charge, which Sheriff Scott indicated could be upgraded to capital murder. Additional murder charges may also be filed as the investigation progresses.
The shootings occurred in the rural community of Cedarbluff, located west of West Point, the county seat.