Bowling coach kills 17-year-old student in shocking murder-suicide


A high school bowling coach in Michigan shot and killed one of his former bowlers inside her home and turned the gun on himself in a horrific murder-suicide, leaving the community โ€œheartbroken.โ€

Gwen Smith, 17, of Temperance, Michigan, had recently graduated when former Bedford High Schoolโ€™s bowling club coach Ryne Leist, 33, fatally shot her multiple times at her home on June 14.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough told a press conference Wednesday that the tragedy was discovered when Gwenโ€™s stepfather returned home at around 6 p.m. that evening, finding the mortally wounded teen and her alleged killer.

Gwenโ€™s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examinerโ€™s office, and Leist died by suicide.

It is not clear how Leist accessed the home, whether he was let in by Gwen or had forced entry.

Gwen Smith, 17, was shot and killed by her former bowling coach, soon after graduating high school
Gwen Smith, 17, was shot and killed by her former bowling coach, soon after graduating high school (GoFundMe)

โ€œAt this time, the point of entry and access remains under investigation,โ€ Sheriff Goodnough said

โ€œThe details of their relationship are not clear at this time, although itโ€™s believed that Gwendolyn did not consider their relationship to be romantic,โ€ he said, noting in a press release that they were merely acquaintances.

Investigators are reportedly examining the text messages the pair exchanged five days prior, according to Local 4 Click on Detroit.

Leist was not an employee of the school district. He recently left his job at Forest View Lanes, where he had served as an assistant coach for the bowling team since the fall. It is reported that he was paid through the bowling alley.

โ€œHe met the criteria; he completed the full background check. There was no sign that this was not a qualified hire, that something could go wrong,โ€ said Dr. Carl Shultz, Superintendent of Bedford Public Schools, adding that he completed all the required coursework for coaching.

Schultz set up a GoFundMe for Gwenโ€™s family in the aftermath of the tragedy.

โ€œSheโ€™s a remarkable young lady who lost her life for a senseless act. Obviously, there was something going on that no one knew,โ€ Schultz told Local 4.

Gwen was known as โ€œvibrant, creative, and goofyโ€ and someone with โ€œa passion for all to be happy.โ€

โ€œWe are heartbroken as a community, as a district,โ€ Shultz said. โ€œWeโ€™re gonna try to pick the pieces up, but I donโ€™t know how thatโ€™s gonna look for the near future. This is a big loss for our community.โ€

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