Family Member Charged in ‘Unthinkable’ Rural Shooting

CEDARBLUFF: A rural community is in shock after a domestic mass shooting left six family members dead, including a 7-year-old child. Authorities have identified the suspect as Daricka M. Moore, who now faces first-degree murder charges with the possibility of an upgrade to capital murder.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott confirmed the arrests following a press conference, describing the scene in Cedarbluff as a targeted attack on the suspect’s own relatives. “A situation like this, you’ve got a family member attacking their own family,” Scott told reporters.

The victims were found in the rural community west of West Point. Among the deceased was a seven-year-old child, identified as Moore’s second cousin.

Investigators revealed a narrow escape for two other children in the home. It is believed that Moore pointed a firearm at the head of a younger child; however, investigators are still determining if the weapon misfired. A third child and their mother were also present during the massacre but were physically unharmed.

Daricka M. Moore

First-degree murder (multiple counts pending)

Initial appearance scheduled for Monday

Moore had no prior criminal record in Clay County and was not on law enforcement’s radar.

Sheriff Scott emphasized that evidence and witness testimony currently point to Moore as the sole shooter. “Whatever the reason is, we’re hoping that we’ll find out,” Scott said.