A 16-year-old teenager, Malakiah Harris, allegedly stabbed a 13-year-old girl, Savannah Copeland, 93 times during a fatal incident, claiming self-defense. Harris was accused of the murder when he was 15 years old and reportedly boasted about it as his “first body.”
Charged with first-degree murder and two counts of evidence tampering, the teenager will be tried as an adult following the tragic death of the 13-year-old. The incident occurred when Savannah sneaked out of her Tennessee home to meet Harris and his brother on October 24, 18 months ago.
According to court documents, the attack took place on a Powell walking trail near Knoxville, where Savannah was brutally stabbed multiple times on her upper body. Harris alleged that the victim was approaching him aggressively, leading to the stabbing.
After the attack, Harris and his brother allegedly abandoned the victim and returned home. The motive behind the gruesome attack remains unknown. Police revealed that Harris confided in his brother about the incident, claiming self-defense.
In a shocking revelation, Harris informed his girlfriend the next day that he had committed the murder but did not disclose the victim’s identity. Further messages sent by the suspect indicated that he acknowledged the completion of the deed with no known motive.
Savannah’s father expressed his despair over the lack of a clear motive for the tragedy. He emphasized the importance of teaching compassion to children to prevent such horrific acts. The decision to try Harris as an adult was made by Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin in February due to the premeditated nature of the crime and the presence of probable cause.