CLAY COUNTY, Miss. – A horrific series of events unfolded in Clay County, leaving relatives in disbelief as they mourned the tragic loss of three family members. The shocking incident involved a 24-year-old woman, now charged with multiple counts of murder.
Kimberly Moore expressed her incredulity, recounting the moment she learned about the deaths of her loved ones. “When they first told me, I just could not believe it,” she said, sharing the pain felt by the family. Similarly, Virsie Jennings, another grieving relative, was devastated by the news of her brother’s death. “I was really shocked about it; I could not believe that he got killed,” Jennings reflected.
Authorities report that Daricka Moore allegedly shot and killed her relatives, including 67-year-old Glenn Moore and 55-year-old Willie Guines, at a residence on David Hill Road. The deceased also included 33-year-old Quinten Moore, who was shot at the same location. Following the shootings, investigators stated that Daricka Moore drove away in Quinten’s Ford F-150.
The bloody spree escalated when she reportedly forced her way into another home on Blake Road, where a seven-year-old girl, identified as her second cousin, was fatally shot. “It is really a sad situation,” Kimberly Moore said. “We all need prayer at this time.”
The investigation continued as the suspect left the crime scene. Authorities later found the stolen vehicle at a home on Siloam Griffith Road, along with evidence of forced entry and the bodies of Barry and Samuel Bradley.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “Almost thirty years into this, this is one of the toughest ones we have had to work.” With no prior criminal history related to Daricka Moore, the investigation is ongoing, and at this stage, there is no known motive behind the killings.
Family members have urged the community to reflect on mental health issues, suggesting that deeper awareness and communication are essential. “We really do not know what happened, and it was just a family dispute, and we are asking for prayer,” Kimberly Moore stated.
Daricka Moore faces charges of first-degree murder, with expectations that these could escalate to capital murder as additional allegations emerge. In the wake of the tragedy, Kimberly Moore implored the community to recognize the dangers of gun violence, emphasizing the importance of taking a moment to think before acting out of anger. “Anytime you feel like you are getting to that point, you take a minute to think about it and to pray,” she said.
As the investigation unfolds, the community grapples with the tragic loss, and survivors seek solace in each other during an unimaginable time of grief.