Bowling Coach in Michigan Shoots Teen Before Taking His Own Life

A tragic incident in Bedford Township, Michigan, has left a community in shock after a youth bowling coach fatally shot a 17-year-old girl at her home before committing suicide. The victim, Gwendolyn Smith, had just graduated high school two weeks prior.

According to her father, Levi Smith, the coach, Ryne Leist, 33, had been sending inappropriate messages to Gwendolyn before the attack. Levi shared on social media that he had seen evidence of the emails Leist sent his daughter. Neighbors and former friends described Leist as a loner who exhibited troubling behavior.

Some recollections pointed to Leist’s obsession with younger girls, including a woman who claimed he tried to sleep with her and her friends when they were teenagers and even tattooed her name on his arm despite never having dated her. Another former acquaintance accused Leist of trying to involve underage girls in unsafe situations, including giving alcohol at parks and attempting to take nude photos of women in the past.

Leist served as a volunteer coach for Bedford High School’s bowling team, where Gwendolyn was a member. Authorities believe he shot her multiple times inside her stepfather’s home. The stepfather returned home around 6 p.m. to find the girl wounded and Leist nearby. It remains unclear whether Leist forced his way into the home or was allowed in; the nature of his relationship with Gwendolyn or her family has not been specified.

Authorities confirmed that Gwendolyn’s death was ruled a homicide, while Leist’s death was determined to be a suicide. Leist, who had recently resigned from his position at a local bowling alley, had volunteered as the school’s bowling coach. The investigation continues as officials seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.