Mobile, Alabama – An 18-year-old connected to a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a 9-year-old girl is now facing a separate murder charge in Mobile. Ricki Thier, the teenager in question, is accused of participating in the robbery and murder of Michael Carmichael in the Birdville community last March, according to prosecutors.
Thier’s involvement in the drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Cailee Knight on December 5th has raised questions regarding her role in the tragic incident. While she did not face charges in connection to Knight’s death, Thier’s Ford Focus was reportedly used in the drive-by shooting, although she was not the one driving the car, according to Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood.
A grand jury indicted Thier for felony murder this month after a judge dismissed the charge during a preliminary hearing last year. “This was an ongoing investigation. So once it was all complete, it was presented to a grand jury who found probable cause and indicted her,” said Blackwood.
Despite being currently held at Metro Jail without bond, the possibility of further charges related to Knight’s murder for Thier has not been ruled out. Arieal Curry, Tyrone Williams, and Darius Lucky have all been charged with Knight’s murder, with Blackwood stating that additional charges for Thier in that case are “absolutely possible based on the investigation.”
The case involving Thier serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of being involved in criminal activities, especially when violence and loss of life are the outcomes. As the investigation continues, the community awaits justice for the victims and their families, hoping for a resolution that brings closure and healing to all those affected.