A high school bowling coach in Michigan shot and killed one of his former bowlers inside her home before turning the gun on himself in a horrific murder-suicide, leaving the community “heartbroken.”
Gwen Smith, 17, of Temperance, Michigan, had just graduated when Ryne Leist, 33, a former Bedford High School bowling club coach, fatally shot her multiple times at home on June 14.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough told a press conference Wednesday that the tragedy was discovered when Gwen’s stepfather returned home around 6 p.m. that evening and discovered the fatally injured teen and her alleged killer.
Gwen’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner’s office, while Leist committed suicide.
It is unclear how Leist gained access to the home, whether he was allowed in by Gwen or forced entry. “At this time, the point of entry and access remains under investigation,” Sheriff Goodnough stated.
“The details of their relationship are not clear at this time, although it’s believed that Gwendolyn did not consider their relationship to be romantic,” he said, adding in a press release that they were only acquaintances.
According to Local 4 Click on Detroit, investigators are looking into the text messages the couple sent each other five days ago.
Leist was not employed by the school district. He recently left Forest View Lanes, where he had worked as an assistant coach for the bowling team since the fall. According to reports, he was paid through the bowling alley.
“He met the requirements and completed the full background check. Dr. Carl Shultz, Superintendent of Bedford Public Schools, stated that there was no indication that this was not a qualified hire or that something could go wrong. He also stated that he had completed all of the required coaching coursework. Following the tragedy, Schultz established a GoFundMe page for Gwen’s family.
“She’s a remarkable young lady who died in a senseless act. “Clearly, something was going on that no one was aware of,” Schultz told Local 4.
Gwen was known for being “vibrant, creative, and goofy,” as well as having “a passion for everyone’s happiness.”
“We are heartbroken as a community, as a district,” Shultz told reporters. “We’re going to try to pick up the pieces, but I’m not sure how that will look in the near future. “This is a significant loss for our community.”
