NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro police said a 14-year-old girl died on Monday night after she was stabbed by another teenager near a Walmart parking lot.
Officers said the girl, identified as Malia Powell, and another teenage girl got into an argument inside the store on Dickerson Pike before 10 p.m. The argument continued in the parking lot and near the WeGo bus stop, where police said Powell was stabbed with a pocketknife by the other teen.
The girl is then accused of running away toward Doverside Drive. Metro police described her as having brown and purple hair.
Metro police said they do not currently believe the two teens knew each other.
Malia was a rising ninth-grader with plans to attend Hillwood High School in the fall.
Metro Nashville Public Schools released the following statement in response to her death:
"We are saddened by the tragic death of Malia Powell Ridley. Malia was a rising 9th grader who had completed 8th grade at Bellevue Middle and was enrolled to attend Hillwood High in the upcoming school year. Our deepest sympathies are with her family and the Bellevue Middle community. Our student support services team is working with the school administration to provide counseling for any students or staff who need it.
Three Bellevue Middle teachers who knew Malia had this to say about their former student:
'Malia Powell Ridley was an amazing member of the Bellevue Community. Malia was a cheerleader who encouraged her team to work hard, a loyal friend to many, and strived to grow in her academics. She was a leader amongst her peers, motivating everybody to be their best selves. Malia’s bubbly, energetic, and funny personality will be missed at Bellevue Middle School.' — Breanna McKenzie, EmmaJulia Jones, and Danielle Wojciechowski."
Anyone with information on the deadly stabbing is asked to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses. Malia's aunt, Shanika Ridley, created the GoFundMe and added in the description that the family did not have burial insurance for her niece.
