Traelynn Sibley was shot dead during a sleepover in Kansas City, Missouri, just days before she was due to start her junior year of high school. The suspect has been charged with second-degree murder
A 16 year old girl was savagely shot dead during a sleepover whilst innocently styling her friend’s hair, just days before she was set to begin her junior year at secondary school.
Traelynn Sibley was murdered in a horrific drive-by shooting at a Kansas City residence on August 9, in what prosecutors describe as a case of fatal mistaken identity that has left a community in shock, reports the Daily Mail.
The teenager was enjoying what should have been an ordinary evening with mates when disaster struck in the most heartbreaking way imaginable, as she and her friend were “fixing each other’s hair at a vanity near the front door” of the property, reports the Express. The tragic news comes as a family was ripped apart as mum of man killed by jealous girlfriend passes away.
Blameless victim caught in revenge attack
Bailey Lewis, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder, accessory armed criminal action and accessory unlawful use of a weapon for the appalling crime that took an innocent life.
READ MORE: Girl becomes orphan after dad kills mum and then himself in tragic murder-suicideREAD MORE: Emily Atack shares she’s been sexually assaulted on ‘work sets and wrap parties’
According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Sibley was staying overnight at the house when Lewis drove past in a premeditated assault targeting someone else inside – someone she had rowed with after she supposedly permitted them to be “jumped” at a petrol station.
The court documents reveal a chilling account of the moments before the tragedy, showing how an ordinary night became a horror in seconds. “[Others inside the house] described a normal night with two of the females fixing each other’s hair at a vanity near the front door of the structure, one female was in back bedroom while two adult males were playing video games in the living room. A toddler was also present in the home,” the court document stated.
Gunfire shatters tranquil evening
The horrifying assault erupted out of nowhere as the family carried on with their nightly activities, completely oblivious to the threat approaching their door.
“They heard the sound of gunshots and observed projectiles entering the home through the front door and living room wall/window area near the front door,” prosecutors revealed.
“The juvenile female struck by gunfire was fixing her friend’s hair at the vanity when she was shot in the throat. She ran to the bathroom where she collapsed.”
Accused traced via CCTV footage
Officers claim they managed to pinpoint Lewis using surveillance cameras that recorded her recognisable 2025 Hyundai Elantra arriving and departing from the shooting location.
After detectives focused on Lewis as their prime suspect, they say they discovered a tangle of personal feuds that they believe had sparked the fatal encounter.
One individual disclosed they had “not associated for a couple months” with Lewis after she accused them of theft, according to court documents. Another individual in the targeted home informed police that they were acquainted with Lewis, but had a disagreement with her after she “let her get ‘jumped’ at a petrol station months before.”
Linked to second shooting
The investigation unveiled an even more disturbing pattern, as detectives say they linked Lewis to another shooting that took place roughly 15 minutes prior to Sibley’s murder.
Her vehicle was spotted on CCTV footage near the earlier crime scene, with the timing perfectly matching for someone driving between the two locations.
“It should be noted the drive time via Google Maps is between 11-18 minutes from location to location depending on the route you take,” the court document highlighted.
“This drive time aligned with the approximate time frame between the incidents if a car fired shots into [the apartment complex] and then drove straight to [the former friend’s home].”
Mother’s heartbreaking tribute
Lewis was finally arrested on 28 August and is currently being held at the Jackson County Detention Centre on a $400,000 bond, but nothing can bring back the bright young life that was so tragically taken.
Sibley’s heartbroken mother paid tribute to her daughter, telling KCTV5 that the teenager was a “beautiful, bright, sunny girl” with her whole life ahead of her.
“She was a free spirit and almost always smiling and happy. She loved to dance, draw, and do nails, and wanted to be a beautician someday,” the devastated mother said.
“We are absolutely broken by the loss of our sweet girl. I want to bring awareness to how these tragedies affect the community.”
The brutal murder has stolen a promising future from a young woman who aspired to be a beautician – tragically killed while indulging in her favourite pastime with a mate during what should have been a harmless sleepover.