On Friday, January 9, 2026, a mass shooting in Clay County, Mississippi, resulted in the deaths of six individuals, one of whom was a seven-year-old girl. The suspect, Daricka Moore, 24, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the incident, which took place across three separate locations.
Moore was apprehended without resistance at the juncture of Pine Grove Road and Joe Myers Road, following the horrific incident in the rural Cedarbluff community. He was subsequently detained at the county jail early Saturday morning.
District Attorney Scott Colom has stated intentions to pursue capital murder charges against Moore. If the suspect is found eligible, the prosecution will seek the death penalty.
In a social media post, Sheriff Eddie Scott stated, “Unfortunately, tonight we have dealt with tragedy in our community.”
The series of fatal shootings started at a residence on David Hill Road, where three men were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds to the head. The victims were identified as Moore’s father, Glenn Moore, 67; his uncle, Willie Guines, 55; and his brother, Quinten Moore, 33.
After the initial shooting, Moore stole his brother’s Ford F-150 truck and drove to a second location on Blake Road. At 6:56 p.m., Friday, a 911 call was made reporting gunshot victims at this address.
Upon entering the Blake Road home, Moore reportedly attempted a sexual assault on the child while brandishing a handgun. He then shot and killed the seven-year-old girl, his cousin, in the presence of witnesses. Family later identified the child as Mikiylia Guines. The child, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head, was declared dead at the scene.
At a news conference, Scott stated, “I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a seven-year-old.”
Moore then fled the scene in the stolen truck, proceeding to a third location on Siloam-Griffin Road. The stolen vehicle was later found hidden behind a house in this location.
Two additional victims were discovered inside the house: Reverend Barry Bradley, pastor of Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus in Cedarbluff, and his brother Samuel Bradley, both from Columbus, Mississippi. They were found with gunshot wounds to the head and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Moore was finally arrested while driving another stolen vehicle, taken from the third house, at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Joe Myers Road.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear. Sheriff Scott confirmed that Moore had no previous encounters with law enforcement.
The Cedarbluff community, located in western Clay County, is grappling with the aftermath of the shocking incident.
During a Saturday news conference, District Attorney Scott Colom emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that efforts were in progress to upgrade the initial murder charge to capital murder, with more murder charges expected to follow.
In Mississippi, capital murder charges could lead to the death penalty if certain aggravating factors are present. Committing multiple murders during a single criminal episode is considered one such factor under state law.
Sheriff Scott described the case as one of the most challenging investigations he has encountered, acknowledging the deep impact the killings have had on the community.
The investigation involves processing three separate crime scenes, gathering ballistic evidence, conducting witness interviews, and reconstructing the sequence of events. Forensic evidence from each location will be vital in building the case against Moore.
Mississippi law provides various support services for victims of crime and their families, including counseling, financial aid, and advocacy throughout the criminal justice process. These resources will be made available to the surviving family members, especially those who witnessed the Blake Road shooting, as they cope with the traumatic event.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled to establish whether there exists sufficient probable cause to proceed with the charges against Moore. During this hearing, prosecutors will present evidence in support of the charges, though the complete details of their case may not be disclosed until the trial.
On January 12, 2026, Moore pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges at her initial court appearance. Clay County Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens appointed Clarissa Harris as Moore’s defense attorney and ordered a mental health evaluation. Assistant District Attorney Trina Davidson-Brooks stated that the first-degree murder charges are expected to be upgraded to capital murder. A trial date has not yet been set.