A man in Michigan was given decades in prison for killing his 8-year-old sister Bailei Singleton with a gun in a disturbing incident that shocked both the community and the police. Gyasi Stribling, who is 24 years old, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Tuesday and given a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years. The violent crime from early 2021 is still a painful reminder of how guns can destroy families and lives.
Sad killing over a small disagreement
The event took place in the family’s room at the 12 North Apartments in Southfield, a suburb of Detroit, on January 3, 2021. Bailei was tragically shot in their living room after getting into a fight with her brother. Police say the girl’s life was ruined by something as small as “talking back” to her older brother. Speaking about how sad the case was, prosecutor Karen McDonald said, “Bailei Singleton should still be here with us today.”
People in the community were shocked and shocked by what happened. Southfield police were called to the scene because Bailei was badly hurt. She was taken to the hospital right away, but her injuries were too bad, and she died a few days later.
Stribling, who was 20 years old at the time of the shooting, first said that his sister had been caught in the middle of a robbery and was being shot. But that story quickly fell apart when police talked to witnesses who didn’t agree with what he said. More research also showed that Stribling had thrown away the gun that was used in the crime. The gun was later found by the police.
A Trial That Breaks Your Heart
In April 2025, Stribling was put on trial for first-degree murder. During the two-day trial, the details of the case were made public. The murder was seen as even worse because the victim was so young and it happened in the family home. Attorney McDonald emphasized how senseless the crime was by saying, “It’s unacceptable that anyone, let alone an 8-year-old child, could be killed in their own home by a family member over the smallest disagreement.”
Stribling was arrested soon after the event and has been in the Oakland County Jail ever since. He will now spend a long time in prison for what he did. His conviction ends a painful chapter in the life of the Singleton family. It also brings some justice to the little girl whose life was tragically cut short.
What Gun Violence Does to Families and Communities
This case is another painful reminder of how gun violence in America affects a lot of people. Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren talked about how upset he was about what was going on and how frustrated he was with the case and how it was making the police department feel. “It’s making us stressed.” Speaking about an 8-year-old child, it’s hard for me to keep my emotions in check as I stand here in front of you, he said, expressing the deep sadness felt by everyone involved in the investigation.
Gun violence is becoming more common in communities across the country, as shown by Stribling’s actions and the deep sadness over Bailei’s death. McDonald, the prosecutor, agreed with this and said that tragedies like these could affect families for generations to come. She said, “This case is, unfortunately, a reminder of how gun violence is a public health epidemic that can end a life in an instant.”
Bailei gets justice, but a family still feels heartbroken.
Even though Stribling’s sentence makes things seem fair, it doesn’t make the Singleton family feel better about their grief. They will carry it with them forever. What a terrible loss it was for the little girl. No amount of punishment can fill the void. Although the court case is over, her death will still be felt by her family, the people in their community, and everyone who followed the very public case.
Now, Stribling’s long prison sentence is a somber reminder of the terrible damage gun violence does and the painful results of a fit of anger that ends in the death of a child.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
