2026 Cedarbluff shootings
| 2026 Cedarbluff shootings | |
|---|---|
  Cedarbluff Cedarbluff (Mississippi)  Cedarbluff Cedarbluff (the United States) | |
| Location | 33°38′06″N 88°48′19″W / 33.6351°N 88.8053°W Clay County, Mississippi, US |
| Date | January 9, 2026 c. 6:56 p.m. – 11:24 p.m. (CST; UTC−06:00) |
| Target | Relatives and civilians |
Attack type | Mass shooting, mass murder, spree shooting, familicide |
| Weapons | Rifle Handgun |
| Deaths | 6 |
| Motive | Under investigation |
| Accused | Daricka M. Moore |
| Charges |
|
On January 9, 2026, a spree shooting occurred at three separate locations in the area of Cedarbluff, Mississippi, United States. The gunman, Daricka Moore, shot and killed six people, including four family members. He escaped from the scene, and was arrested at a police roadblock approximately five hours later near one of the locations of the shootings. He is charged with three counts of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder.[1][2]
This incident is currently the joint-deadliest mass shooting in the United States in 2026, excluding the perpetrator or suspect.
Shootings
The shootings occurred at nighttime across three different locations near West Point and the border between Mississippi and Alabama. The shooter, Daricka Moore, first killed his father, his brother, and his uncle at the family's mobile home on David Hill Road in western Clay County. He then stole his brother's Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck and drove a few miles to a cousin's house on Blake Road, where he forced his way in and attempted to commit sexual battery.[3] He then put a gun to the head of a seven-year-old girl and fatally shot her. He also threatened a younger child, but she was not shot. It was not clear whether he did not pull the trigger or the gun misfired. The mother and a third child were also present. The first 911 call came in at 6:56 p.m. about gunshot victims at the address. Moore fled and allegedly drove to the Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus on Siloam-Griffin Road, where he parked behind and broke into a residence, killed the pastor and his brother, and stole one of their vehicles. A second 911 call was received. Some of Moore family members attend the church.[2][4] Clay County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Steven Woodruff confirmed on January 10 the shooter had been taken into custody and there was no threat to the community.[5][6] He was arrested at a police roadblock at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Joe Myers Road at 11:24 p.m. near where the second shooting occurred, carrying a rifle and a handgun.[7][2]
Victims
The victims were identified as the suspect's father, 67-year-old Glenn Moore, his brother, 33-year-old Quinten Moore, his uncle, 55-year-old Willie Ed Guines, his unidentified seven-year-old female cousin, reverend Barry Bradley, and the reverend's brother, Samuel Bradley. All victims were shot in the head and pronounced dead on scene.[7] No injuries were reported.[4][8]
Suspect
The suspect, 24-year-old Daricka M. Moore (born 2001) of Cedarbluff, was taken into custody on January 10, and was booked into the Clay County jail and held without bail. Moore was not known to police and had no previous criminal charges.[8] He was charged with three counts of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder, in addition to attempted murder, attempted sexual battery, burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle. Assistant District Attorney Trina Davidson-Brooks said that the three first-degree murder charges are expected to be upgraded to capital murder.[9][5] Clay County District Attorney Scott Colom stated he expects to pursue the death penalty against Moore.[2] On January 12, Moore pleaded not guilty to the six counts of capital and attempted murder.[10] A motive is being investigated, but the shootings are believed to be targeted.[4]
Reactions
The Sandy Hook Promise released a statement following the shooting stating:[1]
The pain inflicted by this act will leave lasting scars, we stand with all of the loved ones and the community of West Point in demanding a safer future for all.
United Way's Golden Triangle Region division established a "family assistance fund" for the families of the victims, and various GoFundMe pages were created in support of the families.[11]
See also
- Crime in Mississippi
- 2025 Leland shooting, a mass shooting which happened two months earlier in Mississippi
- 2023 Arkabutla shootings, another spree shooting in Mississippi
- 2017 Mississippi shootings, another spree shooting in Mississippi
References
- ^ a b Source, Custom (2026-01-12). "Cedarbluff shooting spree suspect pleads not guilty". The Dispatch. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ a b c d "6 people killed in Mississippi rampage, including 7-year-old girl. Suspect charged with murder". CP24. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ Leflore, Tiara (2026-01-12). Clay County man accused of killing six people, including a 7-year-old girl in court today. Retrieved 2026-02-20 – via www.wapt.com.
- ^ a b c "Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder". Associated Press. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ a b "Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder". CTV News. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ "Suspect in custody after 6 killed in spree of shootings in Mississippi". CBS News. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ a b "Man arrested in killing of 6 including his father, uncle and a 7-year-old in Mississippi". NBC News. January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ a b Press, -Associated Press Associated (2026-01-10). "Suspect charged with murder in Mississippi after 6 killed in shootings". PBS News. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ Source, Custom (2026-01-12). "Cedarbluff shooting spree suspect pleads not guilty". The Dispatch. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ Press, Associated (2026-01-12). "Mississippi man accused of killing 6 people, including a 7-year-old, pleads not guilty". Home - WCBI TV | Telling Your Story. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ "Bond denied for suspect in shooting deaths of 6 people in Clay County". News From The States. Retrieved 2026-02-20.