Cape Coral teen faces sentencing in 2024 murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller

A significant day of justice will unfold Tuesday for the family of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller, who tragically lost her life during a night out at the movies nearly two years ago.

Christopher Horne Jr., one of the teens involved in her death, faces sentencing. Horne Jr., who pleaded no contest to second-degree murder late last year, could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Horne's sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday. WINK News will provide updates on the proceedings.

Kayla Rincon-Miller was gunned down in March 2024 while walking from the Coralwood Movie Theater in Cape Coral to a nearby McDonald's. The incident occurred off Del Prado Boulevard near Veterans Parkway.

Cape Coral police believe Horne Jr. did not fire the gun that killed Rincon-Miller. As part of his plea deal, he must testify against a co-defendant, Thomas Stein.

Police said an SUV blinded Rincon-Miller and her friends with its headlights as they walked to McDonald's, and people jumped out of the vehicle attempting to rob them. Rincon-Miller was then shot and killed.

Investigators say Thomas Stein is the one who used the SUV's headlights to blind the girls. However, they also believe he did not pull the trigger.

Stein faces a first-degree murder charge and three counts of attempted armed robbery. His trial is set to begin on April 27.

A memorial for Kayla Rincon-Miller stands a few blocks away from where the tragedy occurred. A photo of her remains there, surrounded by butterflies and flowers, serving as a poignant reminder of a young life lost too soon.

Despite the ongoing legal developments, the question of who actually killed Kayla Rincon-Miller remains unanswered. Police have indicated that more arrests are forthcoming, but there have been no recent arrests in the case.

WINK News has been covering this story from the beginning and will continue to seek answers for Rincon-Miller's family and the community.