Shooting in Cape Coral claims life of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller. Here's what we know
A 15-year-old girl was shot and killed while walking with two friends in Cape Coral Sunday night, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said during a news conference Monday.
According to Sizemore, one of the teens told police they were walking to McDonald's on Del Prado Boulevard South after leaving the Coralwood 10 movie theater when a car pulled up and blinded them with the vehicle's lights.
Several unknown suspects reportedly exited the vehicle and attempted to rob the three girls when one of the suspects fired a gun, shooting the victim, later identified as Kayla Rincon-Miller, in the chest.
The suspects reportedly got back in the car and fled south on Southeast 16th Place.
Police responded about 9:30 p.m. to the 2000 block of Southeast 16th Street and rendered aid to Rincon-Miller, who later died at a hospital.
On Wednesday, March 20, Cape Coral police announced Thomas Roy Stein, 16, of North Fort Myers, was arrested and charged as "a principal to a murder while engaged in a robbery" in the homicide of Rincon-Miller. Authorities do not believe the shooting was a random act of violence.
Here's what we know:
What we know about the shooting in Cape Coral
Three teen girls left the Coralwood 10 movie theater in Cape Coral Sunday night and were walking to a nearby McDonald's when a car with several suspects pulled up and the occupants attempted to rob them. During the attempted robbery, one of the suspects fired a gun, striking one of the girls, later identified as 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller in the chest. Rincon-Miller was taken to a hospital, where she died.
On Wednesday, an arrest was made in connection to the case. Thomas Roy Stein, 16, of North Fort Myers, faces murder while engaged in a robbery charges related to Rincon-Miller's death.
Who was Kayla Rincon-Miller?
Kayla Rincon-Miller was 15 years old. On Sunday night, Rincon-Miller and two friends were walking to a McDonald's after leaving a Cape Coral movie theater when several unknown suspects attempted to rob them and one of the suspects began shooting. Rincon-Miller was struck in the chest and subsequently died at a hospital.
"Her passing has left our family devastated, mourning the loss of this beautiful soul," her cousin, Sophia Ricketts, wrote in a GoFundMe post raising money for her burial.
Where was the shooting in Cape Coral Sunday?
The shooting happened in the 2000 block of Southeast 16th Place in Cape Coral, Florida. Three girls left the Coralwood 10 movie theater and were walking to a nearby McDonald's when 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller was fatally shot during a robbery attempt.
Thomas Roy Stein arrested in connection to fatal Cape Coral shooting
On March 20, Thomas Roy Stein, 16, of North Fort Myers, was arrested and charged with murder while engaged in a robbery in connection to Kayla Rincon-Miller's death.
Police are seeking additional suspects involved in the homicide.
Anyone with information can contact the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223.
Reward offered in the homicide of Kayla Rincon-Miller
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000. Anyone with information can call 1-800-780-TIPS.
Tomas Rodriguez contributed to this report