A 15-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing 13-year-old cheerleader Savannah Copeland may face trial as an adult, prosecutors have revealed.
Incident Details
The tragic incident occurred around midnight on October 22 near Powell, Tennessee. Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old cheerleader, was allegedly stabbed to death with a pocket knife and left near a dirt road. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of her relationship with the suspect or how they knew each other.
According to a petition released by Knox County Court on October 24, the suspect attacked Savannah before fleeing the scene.
Victim’s Father Discovers Body
Savannah’s father, Michael Copeland, reported her missing after she failed to return home. Using cellphone tracking information, he located her body near the crime scene.
“I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” Michael Copeland told 8WVLT.
Arrest and Charges Against the Suspect
The 15-year-old boy was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with second-degree murder, as confirmed by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite the suspect’s age, a judge permitted his name to be released two days later. Prosecutors are now pushing for the suspect to be tried as an adult, with a hearing scheduled for January 14 to decide the matter.
Savannah’s Identity Confirmed by Family
Savannah’s name was initially not included in the sheriff’s office statement but was confirmed by her family through a GoFundMe page, an online obituary, her cheerleading team, and several news outlets.
Her father described Savannah as a vibrant and talented young girl with “spunkiness, eagerness, and a go-getter attitude.”
Remembering Savannah Copeland
Savannah was a dedicated cheerleader with Powell Mac Cheerleading and excelled in both karate and gymnastics, as shared in her obituary. Her family, friends, and teammates are mourning her untimely loss while seeking justice for her tragic death.
