Gyasi Stribling, 24, has been sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison for the terrible killing of his 8-year-old sister, Bailei Singleton.
The sentencing took place on Tuesday, bringing a conclusion to a legal struggle that began following the 2021 shooting.
Stribling was found guilty of first-degree murder last month by an Oakland County jury. According to the prosecutor’s office, the young girl was fatally shot in their living room because she was “talking back” at her brother.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald condemned the act in a statement. “Bailei Singleton should still be here with us today,” she said. “Her death was a tragedy, and the fact that she died at the hands of a family member in her own home is beyond words.”
The shooting occurred on January 3, 2021, at the 12 North Apartments in Southfield, a town located just outside Detroit. According to authorities, Bailei was found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries days later.
Stribling initially tried to deceive investigators by reporting that Bailei was shot during a home invasion. However, that explanation immediately unfolded when two witnesses to the incident provided a different account. Further inquiry indicated that he had ditched the pistol, which police eventually recovered.
Stribling was arrested within days after the murder and detained at Oakland County Jail until his trial. Prosecutors emphasized that his actions were planned and unprovoked.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren expressed the emotional toll the case had taken on the department. “It’s stressful for us,” he told local media. “It’s stressful for me to stand here and control my emotions when talking about an 8-year-old child.”
Bailei Singleton’s sad murder has sparked discussions in Michigan about gun violence and child safety. Prosecutor McDonald used the case to demonstrate the larger issue of firearms in the hands of irresponsible people, describing gun violence as a “public health epidemic.”
Chief Barren described the act as a “heinous crime” and shared his belief early on that Stribling would face serious consequences. That belief was confirmed when the jury returned a guilty verdict after just two days of trial proceedings.
Also Read: Michigan Couple Accused of Killing 3-Year-Old to Make Room for Another Child
For the latest crime-related updates, check out our Crime News page
