Mississippi Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty in Rampage That Left Six Dead
Key Highlights
- Daricka Moore, 24, is charged with six murders, attempted sexual battery, and other felonies following a four-hour rampage.
- The crime spree began at a residence where three family members were found shot dead, including Moore’s father, uncle, and brother.
- Moore allegedly stole a truck, broke into homes, and committed multiple shootings, including the killing of a 7-year-old girl.
WEST POINT, Mississippi – A Clay County man accused of killing six people, including a 7-year-old girl, during a four-hour rampage Friday night has been ordered to be held without bond.
During his initial appearance in circuit court Monday, Daricka M. Moore, 24, was formally charged with three counts of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder. Moore, who authorities said had no apparent prior criminal history, has also been charged with attempted murder, attempted sexual battery, plus two counts of felony taking of a motor vehicle and burglary of a dwelling.
Moore entered pleas of not guilty to all 11 felony charges. Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens then ruled that Moore should be held without bond. The judge also requested Moore submit to a mental health evaluation before returning to court for a preliminary hearing.
The results of that examination will determine how the case proceeds through the criminal justice system. If the examination shows Moore was not competent at the time of the crimes, the state will not be able to seek the death penalty. District Attorney Scott Colom said Saturday that if Moore is eligible, he would seek the death penalty and let a Clay County jury decide his fate.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the crime spree appeared to start at 123 David Hill Road where deputies found the bodies of Glenn Moore, 67, Willie Ed Guines, 55, and Quentin Moore, 33 — the father, uncle and brother of the suspect, respectively. All three men had been shot in their heads.
Moore has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder for these deaths.
Moore then allegedly stole his brother’s truck and drove to his cousin’s house on Blake Road. Scott said Moore forced his way into the home and attempted to commit a sexual battery while brandishing a gun. He then shot and killed the 7-year-old girl. He then stuck the gun to the head of another young child.
For the incidents at Blake Road, he was charged with attempted sexual battery, attempted murder and capital murder. For the charge of capital murder, the killing has to take place at the same time as another felony. In this case, child abuse.
Authorities say Moore then drove to a Siloam-Griffith Road address, parking the stolen truck behind the house. He allegedly broke into the house and killed brothers Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley. They were found inside the house with gunshot wounds to the head.
Moore was charged with two counts of capital murder for the deaths of the Bradleys. The underlying felony was burglary.
Law enforcement was first alerted to the killings around 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. As the number of fatal shootings continued to grow, the sheriff began contacting multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for assistance. Scott said there were as many as 100 officers saturating the west Clay County community and setting up roadblocks. Moore was taken into custody without incident at 11:24 p.m. at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Joe Meyers Road. At the time of the arrest, Moore was driving a car believed to have been stolen from the residence on Siloam-Griffith Road.
The six bodies were carried to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, which will include retrieving bullets for ballistic comparisons. Authorities are not sure if more than one weapon was used, where the firearm was obtained or if it was stolen.
While there are still a lot of questions, officials are sure of two things.
“There were no other injuries, at least none reported to us as of now,” Scott said. “And all of the evidence and witness statements lead us to believe there was only one shooter.”
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