UPDATE: A mother was tragically shot and killed while resting on her four-year-old daughter’s lap in an incident linked to a workplace dispute. Noah Messiah Corbitt, 24, now faces a potential life sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including one count of murder by felonious assault.
The horrifying event occurred on September 21, 2024, when Jermea Lyle, 26, was in the backseat of a vehicle with her daughter after finishing a night shift. According to prosecutors, Corbitt fired a shot during a confrontation with a former co-worker, striking Lyle as she lay with her head on her daughter’s lap.
Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck expressed outrage: “This defendant shot at another vehicle because of a dispute over money, killing a completely innocent young mother and leaving a precious 4-year-old girl without her mom.” The bullet entered Lyle’s left back, causing critical injuries to her lung and heart, and exited through her chest.
Investigators revealed that the conflict between Corbitt and the victim’s former co-worker stemmed from an unresolved financial dispute dating back several years. After a confrontation at an Amazon warehouse, Corbitt followed the co-worker, who was getting a ride with Lyle.
Witnesses reported the gunfire around 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM, and Lyle was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital by 7:15 AM, where she was later pronounced dead. Authorities confirmed that the bullet had narrowly missed striking the little girl, who was thankfully unharmed.
Corbitt admitted to firing the shot as a “warning” and claimed his gun jammed after the first round. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 14, where he faces multiple counts that could lead to significant prison time.
This tragic incident underscores the serious implications of gun violence and the loss of innocent lives due to reckless actions. The community mourns the loss of Lyle, a dedicated employee at a nearby retirement community, whose life was cut short in a senseless act of aggression.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the upcoming sentencing, which will serve as a crucial moment for justice for Lyle’s family and the young girl left behind.
