17-Year-Old Arrested for Murder of 9-Year-Old Alabama Girl Shot While Asleep on the Couch

A 17-year-old has been arrested in Texas in connection to the tragic death of nine-year-old Cailee Knight, who was shot while asleep on her couch in Mobile, Alabama, on December 5th, 2023.

This shocking development has left the community reeling, with Tara Zieman of the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office confirming that the teen has been extradited to Mobile on a capital murder charge.

The details surrounding this case are chilling.  Knight was an innocent victim of a violent shooting carried out with an AR-15. It’s believed that a family member of Knight’s was the intended target, but the District Attorney’s Office has not confirmed this, as it remains critical evidence for trial. What makes this situation even more horrifying is that Knight’s tragic death is part of a broader case involving five suspects, including the 17-year-old, who is now facing charges alongside other adults such as Ariel Curry and Tyrone Williams.

The ongoing investigation has been heart-wrenching for Knight’s family, with her mother, Andrea Bright, remembering her daughter as having “such a beautiful spirit.” As the suspects face charges, including capital murder and attempted murder, the gravity of this tragedy deepens. The adults involved are being held without bond under Aniah’s Law, and the 17-year-old will be charged as an adult.  Texas’ capital murder charges could carry the death penalty. However, the 17-year-old is unlikely to face the most harsh punishment.