A teen arrested in connection with the 2024 Cape Coral shooting death of Kayla Rincon-Miller, 15, said he was “truly sorry” as he changed his plea, causing several of his relatives to break into tears.
Christopher Horne Jr., 17, on Sept. 19 pleaded no contest to second-degree murder before Lee Circuit Judge Nicholas Thompson. The plea deal carries a 25-year prison sentence on the condition that he continues to cooperate with authorities and testifies against the other teen, Thomas Stein, 17.
Rincon-Miller died Sept. 17, 2024, when gunmen stopped her and demanded the purses of her and two friends as they left a cinema. Gunfire erupted, killing her.
“I’m truly sorry for all the pain I’ve put you all through,” Horne said addressing the courtroom gallery. “I’m not a bad person. I just did a few terrible things in my life.”
Horne’s relatives more than once shouted, “I love you,” as he spoke.
At least three relatives of Horne sobbed as he continued to speak. Horne said he hopes the Rincon-Miller family will forgive him, but he added that he understands if they do not.
Horne’s sentencing, where Thompson would impose the 25-year term, is tentatively set for Feb. 24. If he does not cooperate by providing testimony, Assistant State Attorney Sara Miller said, Horne faces life in prison.
The prosecutor said Rincon-Miller’s family and friends will provide victim impact statements at Horne’s future sentencing.
About 10 relatives walked up to Horne to say goodbye before he was escorted from the courtroom.
Cape Coral Police arrested Horne weeks after they arrested Stein in Rincon-Miller’s death.
A grand jury on Sept. 4, 2024, indicted Horne and Stein on one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted robbery, both including the use of a firearm.
A detailed Cape Coral Police report also indicates Stein was not the shooter and says a third suspect accompanied Horne and Stein.
Police have not released information on the third suspect.
Rincon-Miller was walking with two friends from the movie theater at 2323 Del Prado Blvd. S., to a nearby McDonald’s.
As they approached Southeast 20th Street, the report says, a “fancy” silver SUV blinded them with the high beams and several males exited the SUV.
Two of them brandished firearms and demanded the girls give them their bags, police said. One of Rincon-Miller’s two friends told authorities she heard three gunshots and realized Rincon-Miller had been shot and lay on the ground near the intersection of Southeast 16th Place and Southeast 20th Street.
Lee County sheriff’s deputies, along with Cape Coral Police, arrested Stein in North Fort Myers three days after the slaying. Horne was later connected to the slaying.
Thomas Stein claimed murder was ‘setup’
While authorities questioned Stein hours before his arrest, he said he learned of the probe into Rincon-Miller’s death through Instagram.
Stein also told authorities he believed the murder was a “setup,” according to the report. “After speaking to Stein for a few minutes, he stated he wished to speak with a lawyer and the interview was terminated,” the report later said.
Michael Lasalandra, a Cape Coral Police detective, earlier testified witnesses reported seeing between four and five individuals in the SUV, all armed with firearms. The detective said the investigation also found a firearm was missing from Stein’s home.
What happens next in the case?
Thomas Stein has an Oct. 3 pretrial conference.
In response to questions about who the third suspect is and whether the investigation remains active, Samantha Syoen, spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office, said in an email that, “Since there is a sentencing pending, I am not able to discuss the case.”
“We checked with the sergeant, and we were told that this case remains active and open and we cannot give out details on an open investigation,” Officer Mercedes Simonds, spokesperson for Cape Coral Police, wrote in a statement.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ‘I’m not a bad person,’ Christopher Horne Jr. tells court in changing plea in girl’s death
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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