Missouri Teen Killed in Sleepover Shooting, 21-Year-Old Charged
What began as a normal teenage sleepover ended in tragedy when a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot in the throat during a drive-by attack in Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities say the shooter, a 21-year-old woman, opened fire on the home while targeting someone else inside.
Victim Identified
The victim, Traelynn Sibley, a student at Grandview High School, was only days away from starting her junior year. She was at a friend’s house in the 3600 block of Norton Avenue on the night of August 9 when the bullets ripped through the front of the home, prosecutors said.
According to witnesses, Traelynn had been fixing her friend’s hair at a vanity near the front door when gunfire erupted. Struck in the throat, she ran toward the bathroom, where she collapsed. Despite efforts to help her, she died from her injuries.
The Suspect
Prosecutors have charged Bailey Lewis, 21, of Lenexa, Kansas, with second-degree felony murder, along with counts of accessory to armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held at the Jackson County Detention Center on a $400,000 bond.
Investigators allege Lewis opened fire while driving past the residence, aiming at a former friend who was inside the house. Detectives say the falling-out between Lewis and the intended target stemmed from earlier disputes, including an incident where Lewis allegedly let the acquaintance get “jumped” at a gas station.
Inside the House
Police reports describe a home full of people on the night of the shooting: three teenage girls, two adult men playing video games in the living room, and even a toddler. Witnesses recalled hearing rapid gunfire before bullets tore through the front door and windows.
Detective David Adair noted in an affidavit that the “spacing of the casings seemed to indicate the person(s) firing the shots were in motion southbound.” Both the home and a red Mazda in the driveway were struck multiple times.
Surveillance Evidence
Surveillance footage proved critical in identifying Lewis as the suspect. Cameras allegedly captured her 2025 Hyundai Elantra near both the Norton Avenue residence and an apartment complex that was hit by gunfire just 15 minutes earlier. Investigators said the timing matched the driving distance between the two shootings.
Detectives also found social media connections linking Lewis to the person inside the home she was targeting. Witnesses inside the residence confirmed her identity.
Motive and Dispute
According to prosecutors, Lewis and her former acquaintance had not spoken in months after she accused the person of stealing. Their relationship soured further after the alleged gas station altercation. Authorities believe resentment from these incidents led to the drive-by attack.
Charges and Next Steps
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges on August 30, stressing the severity of the crime. If convicted, Lewis faces significant prison time for murder and related weapons offenses.
“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a young girl who had nothing to do with the underlying dispute,” prosecutors said in a statement.
Community in Shock
Traelynn’s death has rattled the Kansas City community. Friends described her as bright and caring, with plans for her future abruptly cut short. Her classmates at Grandview High are preparing to return to school without her.
The case also highlights the broader issue of gun violence among young people in Missouri, where shootings involving teens and young adults have spiked in recent years.
As the legal process moves forward, Traelynn’s family is left grieving a life lost too soon, while authorities stress that the true target of the shooting survived—but an innocent girl paid the ultimate price.
