Teen Shot Sister In Face Then Claimed She Had Killed Herself

A teenager who shot his 14-year-old sister in the face has been seized by police after trying to claim that she shot herself dead.

Brianna, poses in undated photo. Keon Martavious Thornhill, 19, allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old sister Brianna, in Opa-Locka, Florida, USA, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Newsflash)

Accused Keon Martavious Thornhill, 19, at first claimed to have simply handed the gun to sister Brianna before she killed herself.

But later he confessed to police in the city of Opa-locka, Florida State, USA on 23rd February: “I shot her. It was a mistake. Take me in.”

Tragic Brianna collapsed from her wounds in the family home and was dead before paramedics could arrive.

Thornhill – now charged with second-degree murder with a weapon – at first claimed his sister had shot herself after they had rowed.

Devastated mum Martine told local media: “My son was playing with the gun and it accidentally went off. If you have kids there should be no guns in your home.

“My son really doesn’t live here, he was here and visiting and playing with the gun when this happened.”

Keon Martavious Thornhill, 19, poses in undated photo. He allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old sister Brianna, in Opa-Locka, Florida, USA, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Miami-Dade County/Newsflash)

Thornhill is reported to have given police several versions of events.

Martine’s four other children were at home at the time and were unharmed, reports said.

She told local media: “My daughter was a wonderful person, she was very respectful, she was a sweet girl, my baby girl, and now she is gone.

“She meant the world to us and we are heartbroken.”

Thornhill is remanded in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in the city of Miami.

His arrest affidavit says: “On Thursday, February 23, 2023, at approximately 12:08 a.m., officers from the City of Opa-locka Police Department responded to the area of 14532 NW 17th Path, Opa-locka, Florida reference to a male causing a disturbance and knocking on doors.

Brianna, poses in undated photo. Keon Martavious Thornhill, 19, allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old sister Brianna, in Opa-Locka, Florida, USA, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Newsflash)

“Upon their arrival, officers located the defendant outside of the residence, advising that his sister was bleeding inside the residence.

“The Opa-locka officers then discovered the victim with an apparent gunshot wound to her face.

“The defendant spontaneously stated that he was involved in a verbal dispute with the victim, and he went to his room on the second floor and retrieved a firearm.

“The defendant then went with the firearm, stating that he had cleared it and handed it to the victim.

“The defendant further stated that the victim shot herself in the face.

“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded to the incident location and determined the victim was deceased at 12:27 a.m.

Keon Martavious Thornhill, 19, poses in undated photo. He allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old sister Brianna, in Opa-Locka, Florida, USA, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Newsflash)

“While the defendant was being detained, he stated several times to officers on scene, I shot her, it was a mistake take me in.

“The defendant was transported to the Miami-Dade Police Department headquarters, where he provided several different versions of how the shooting occurred.

“The defendant was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility.”