A 16-year-old teenager is facing first-degree murder charges and two counts of tampering with evidence after allegedly stabbing a 13-year-old girl 93 times in what he claimed was an act of self-defense. Malakiah Harris was accused of killing Savannah Copeland when he was 15 years old and reportedly boasted about it as his “first body.”

The incident took place in Tennessee when Savannah sneaked out to meet Harris and his brother. According to court documents, Harris stated that the victim attacked him, leading to the stabbing. Savannah was brutally stabbed mostly on her upper body on a walking trail near Knoxville.

After the attack, Harris and his brother allegedly left the scene, leaving Savannah’s body behind. The motive for the attack remains unknown. Harris later allegedly confessed to his girlfriend about the incident, mentioning that he had committed the crime but did not disclose the victim’s identity.

The victim’s family expressed their grief and concern over the lack of a clear motive for the tragic event. The father of the victim emphasized the importance of teaching children compassion and addressing behaviors that may lead to such violent acts.

In a recent development, a Juvenile Court Judge ruled that Harris would be tried as an adult due to the premeditated nature of the crime and the evidence pointing towards his involvement in the murder.