Two years after a night at the movies brought a tragic ending to spring break for a Cape Coral girl, her grieving mom hopes a new initiative will deter youth from gun violence.
Kayla Rincon-Miller, 15, described as a funny and hard-headed girl, died March 17, 2024, when boys with guns stopped her and two friends and demanded their purses. Gunfire erupted, and Rincon-Miller went down in the street a few blocks from where she and the other girls had seen a movie.
Her mother, Luz Rincon, who has now helped launch an anti-gun-violence foundation, said Kayla lit up every room and had a lot of aspirations. She left behind one sibling.
One of the boys involved in Kayla’s murder, Christopher Horne, 17, of Cape Coral, on Sept. 19, 2025 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 arrested teen, Thomas Stein, 17.
Kayla’s mother spoke about her daughter at “The Power Of Us,” an event hosted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers and Kayla’s House — a nonprofit started by Rincon-Miller’s family and friends that raises awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. About 25 people came together for the event at the William Bill Austen Youth Center in Cape Coral on Saturday, March 14.
Kayla’s House launched in November 2025.
“It came about from the pain and knowing that maybe we could make a change,” Luz Rincon said.
Their goal is to end gun violence among young people.
“It only takes one person to really change the world, to really change your mentality and change your heart,” said Tatyiana Rincon, Kayla’s sister. “I would be more than grateful if just one kid really just took that in.”
A lot of tears and anger
Tatyiana Rincon said the past two years have come with “a lot of tears, a lot of anger and a lot of emotion.”
“I know Kayla would be so amazed to see that,” Tatyiana Rincon said of the community’s support. “I know her passing has brought a lot of broken hearts but it has really brought everyone to come together and really want a change.”
Luz Rincon said the journey that has followed her daughter’s tragic death has been bittersweet.
“It has good days and bad days,” Luz Rincon said.
Funny and a ‘little hard-headed’
Tatyiana Rincon described her sister as funny and a “little hard-headed,” but added she had “the sweetest heart.”
“She really did care about you until the end of the days,” Tatyiana Rincon said. “This is for her and for her love that she had to be spread throughout everybody’s life.”
Tatyiana Rincon said they never got to see Kayla’s full potential.
“I know she would’ve done amazing things,” Tatyiana Rincon said. “She had a great heart. Loved her friends, loved her family even more.”
Tatyiana Rincon said Kayla “is not another life lost.”
“Kayla… she had big dreams and goals,” Luz Rincon said. “Very typical 15-year-old… Today I want to do this, tomorrow I want to do that.”
Luz Rincon said her slain daughter was a “vibe” and lit up every room.
Case hit close to home for Crime Stoppers lead
Trish Routte, manager at Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, said they crossed paths with Rincon-Miller’s family about six months after the slaying as they sought tips.
“But we formed a relationship with Kayla’s family, and it became very personal,” Routte said.
As someone who has lived in Cape Coral for over 40 years, Routte said, Rincon-Miller’s case “rocked” her.
“It rocked our community as a whole,” Routte said. Routte also touted Luz Rincon for her strength. “As a mom, she could’ve gone to a very dark place, and she could’ve shielded herself from the world.”
Routte said they do not want Rincon-Miller’s tragedy to happen to one more youth in Southwest Florida.
“In some cases we become a little more personal and familiar than others,” Routte said.
Routte said she grew up across the street from where Kayla died.
“I walked that same path that she did,” Routte said. “My kids did as well. You almost internalize that and you take it personally.”
How did SW Florida authorities connect the teens to the murder?
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, court documents say, 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 murder.
Stein has a March 16 motions hearing. His trial, expected to last a week, is set for April 27.
Horne’s sentencing, where Thompson is expected to impose the 25-year term, is set May 19 following a delay.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ‘Kayla would be so amazed’: Family of slain teen educates on violence
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
