SOUTHFIELD, MI – A Michigan man was convicted of first-degree murder on Monday for fatally shooting his 8-year-old sister following a dispute at their family home in Southfield. The jury found Gyasi Stribling, 24, guilty in the 2021 slaying of Bailei Singleton, a violent act that has left the community and law enforcement officials grappling with its senseless nature.
Bailei Singleton was shot in the family’s apartment at the 12 North complex in the Detroit suburb. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the verdict, emphasizing the tragic nature of her death and the broader implications of gun violence. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald expressed sorrow over the loss, pointing out the horrific reality of a child being killed in her own home over a trivial disagreement.
Emergency services from the Detroit area were dispatched to the scene on January 3, 2021, where Bailei was found critically wounded. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Bailei succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
Initially, Stribling claimed that his sister was shot during a robbery, but this version of events was contradicted by witnesses present in the apartment at the time of the shooting. Authorities later recovered the discarded firearm, which played a crucial role in the investigation.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren highlighted the emotional impact of the crime on all involved. Speaking shortly after the incident, he described the difficulty of discussing such a devastating crime involving a young child. Barren characterized the murder as a “heinous crime” and expressed confidence that justice would be served.
The trial spanned two days, during which jurors quickly reached a guilty verdict. The community has been left to ponder the devastating effects of gun violence, especially on families and young children, illustrating the broader public health crisis such violence represents.
Stribling has been detained in the Oakland County Jail since his arrest a few days following the shooting. He now faces life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for May 25.
The case serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for measures to curb gun violence in the community. As the community mourns Bailei’s loss, efforts to address the root causes of such tragedies continue to garner attention.