15-year-old girl shot and killed during robbery turned homicide in Cape Coral

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Kayla Rincon-Miller. CREDIT: Rincon-Miller family

The Cape Coral Police Department is searching for four people and a silver van after the police opened a homicide investigation regarding the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old girl.

During a press conference Monday, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore stated that three girls were walking to a McDonald’s after watching a movie at Coralwood 10, around 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Memorial placed for Kayla Rincon-Miller. CREDIT: WINK News

They were ambushed by would-be robbers in a car at Southeast 20th Street and 16th Place.

The car flashed its lights at the girls after the suspects exited their vehicle to attempt to rob the victims.

A gunman shot 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller in her chest during the robbery.

She was transported to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her wounds.

CCPD was able to speak to all three girls, and they all said that they did not know who the shooter was.

Sizemore has called for an all-hands-on-deck situation to search for the shooter in this homicide.

Sizemore was asked to give his opinion regarding the situation and whether an increased police presence is needed.

“I think that it’s certainly unnerving for the general public that this happened on a Sunday night,” said Sizemore. “I’d suggest that people be more vigilant at night, but a city-wide alert in fear is not necessary.”

Sizemore then continued to mention that they had a lead as to what the suspect’s vehicle may look like; however, he did not disclose that information as it was pivotal for the investigation.

Flowers now mark the area where Rincon-Miller was fatally shot.

WINK News spoke with family members of the deceased who said she was her parent’s pride and joy after they lost her twin sibling at birth.

Her family said she loved basketball, drawing and picking out the right shoes to match every outfit.

Her family said that coming to terms with the fact that her life was cut short is too painful to bear right now. What’s even harder is knowing Kayla loved staying home and in her room. Sunday night was one of the few times she ever asked to go out with friends.

People who live and work in the area are sharing their thoughts after hearing the news of this homicide.

“I walk and ride my bike here every single day; nothing like this has happened since I’ve been here for five years,” said Jodie Kinsley, a Cape Coral resident.

Kinsley lives right in the Cape Coral neighborhood where it happened.

She was brought to tears knowing a young teen’s life was cut short in the area she calls home, and so was Elliot Walker Sr., who works in the area and decided to drop off the flowers. He said pain is what brought him out here.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the CCPD at 239-574-3223 or email them at CCPDtips@capecoral.gov.

If you have any information on this fatal shooting and wish to remain anonymous, contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8744. You can also submit tips online or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Remember, you may be eligible for a reward.

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