A 24-year-old man has been formally charged with murder following the tragic deaths of six individuals, including a young child, in a series of shootings that took place in northeast Mississippi.

According to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott, the victims, comprised of four family members related to the suspect and two other adults, were fatally shot at three different sites late Friday night (Saturday AEDT).

The youngest victim was the suspect’s cousin, only seven years old.

“It’s hard to fathom any motive for the killing of a 7-year-old,” Sheriff Scott expressed during a press briefing.

The suspect has been identified as Daricka M. Moore. He has been charged with first-degree murder, with the possibility of the charge being elevated to capital murder, Sheriff Scott noted.

Moore may face additional murder charges as the investigation proceeds.

The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, west of the county seat of West Point.

“This guy (the suspect) wasn’t our radar,” Scott said. “This is family members that he went after.”

Online court records in Clay County show Moore has no previous criminal charges.

“A situation like this, you’ve got a family member attacking their own family,” Scott said.

“Whatever the reason is, we’re hoping that we’ll find out.”

Scott said investigators believe Moore placed a gun to the head of a younger child at the home where the seven-year-old died. Investigators aren’t sure whether the gun misfired.

A third young child and their mother was present in that house as well.

The seven-year-old victim was Moore’s second cousin, Scott said.

Investigators hope to have more information and upgraded charges by the time Moore appears before a judge.

An initial appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Scott said no other injuries have been reported beyond the six deaths.