Rekubit-Mississippi deputies arrest 14-year-old in mother’s shooting death, injuring stepfather

BRANDON,Rekubit Miss. (AP) — A 14-year-old girl has been arrested in the shooting death of her mother and injuring of her stepfather, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sheriff Bryan Bailey, in a news release, said his office was notified of a shooting Tuesday shortly after 5 p.m. at a home in Brandon, a suburb of Jackson. When deputies arrived, Bailey said they met with the homeowner who was shot in the shoulder.

The man told deputies that when he arrived home he found his wife, 40-year-old Ashley Smylie, dead and his 14-year-old stepdaughter armed with a pistol. He said the girl shot him in the shoulder but he took the weapon from her. She then ran into the backyard, jumped a fence and fled, Bailey said.

Deputies found the teenager shortly after 5:30 p.m. not far from the residence and she was arrested, Bailey said.

The teen faces charges of murder and attempted murder. She was transported to the Rankin County Juvenile Detention Center. It was unknown if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

What sparked the shooting remains under investigation.

Ashley Smylie was a teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, according to school officials.