Mississippi man charged in killings of six relatives and pastor, including 7-year-old
Daricka M. Moore, 24, is charged after a Friday night shooting rampage in Clay County that left six dead, including a 7-year-old, motive pending investigation.
Overview
Suspect: Daricka M. Moore, 24, a Clay County resident, is accused of killing six people including his father Glen Moore (67), brother Quinton Moore (33), and uncle Willie Guines (55).
What and where: The shootings occurred Friday evening at three Cedarbluff-area locations in rural Clay County, west of West Point, leaving six dead from gunshot wounds.
How: Investigators say Moore was the sole shooter, allegedly stealing a pickup, attempting sexual battery at a second scene, and fatally shooting a related 7-year-old before fleeing.
Arrest and evidence: Moore was arrested near a roadblock just before midnight after officers found stolen vehicles; detectives recovered firearms and continue to interview him and seek motive.
Legal: Moore faces a first-degree murder charge that prosecutors expect to upgrade to capital murder; Clay County DA Scott Colom said the death penalty will be considered if legally appropriate.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the shootings as an especially brutal, sensational crime by using loaded terms ('rampage,' 'heinous'), prioritizing graphic details (ages, execution-style killings) and quotes expressing community shock and pursuit of the death penalty. Those quotes are source content; editorial choices in language, quote placement, and omission of broader context (motive, background) create a punitive, sensational frame.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Daricka M. Moore is currently charged with first-degree murder in connection with the six killings, and prosecutors have indicated they expect to upgrade the charges to capital murder, which could make him eligible for the death penalty under Mississippi law.
Investigators say the victims include Moore’s father Glenn Moore, 67, his brother Quinton Moore, 33, his uncle Willie Ed Guines, 55, a 7-year-old girl who was his cousin, and a local church pastor and the pastor’s wife, all fatally shot at three locations in rural Clay County.
Moore was arrested just before midnight at a roadblock in the Cedarbluff area after multiple local, state, and federal officers flooded the region; officers had been looking for a stolen pickup believed to be connected to the shootings.[1]
Authorities say the motive remains under investigation; Sheriff Eddie Scott has stated that detectives are still interviewing Moore and gathering evidence, and no clear reason for the killings has been publicly identified.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott reported that surviving relatives are overwhelmed with grief and said the events have deeply shaken the rural community, while local, state, and federal agencies have coordinated in the investigation and the district attorney has said he is prepared to pursue the death penalty if appropriate.
History
- 4 sources
