A 24 year old man in Mississippi has been charged with killing 6 people on the night of Friday 1 9, including a 7 year old girl and a local pastor. Authorities identified the suspect as Darika Moore, who was taken into custody hours after the attacks. Investigators described the chain of events as one of the most disturbing cases the region has confronted in decades.
According to officials, Moore is believed to have first shot his father, his brother, and his uncle at a family residence. Detectives say he then attempted to sexually assault a 7 year old girl who was related to him before fatally shooting her. The suspect allegedly took his deceased brother s Ford F 150 and drove to another home several miles away.
At that second location, deputies found the stolen truck concealed behind the residence. Inside the property, they discovered the bodies of Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley, both of whom appeared to have been shot. Local authorities reported that one of the Bradley victims had served as a pastor in the community.
Officials said they have not yet determined whether the Bradley family had any prior connection to Moore. Prosecutor Scott Colom stated that in his 30 years of service, he had rarely encountered a case as difficult as this one. He also noted that the community has been left deeply shaken by the loss of life and by the brutality of the events.
Moore was located and arrested later the same night in a nearby area. Law enforcement officers stated that the motive for the killings remains unclear. Prosecutors confirmed that if Moore is convicted, he could face the death penalty.
