LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB/WAVE) — The man charged with fatally shooting a mother and her teen daughter in west Louisville will have his case sent to a grand jury.
Tobias Malone appeared in court Thursday for a hearing where a judge denied his request for a reduction of his $1 million bond and waived the case to a grand jury.
Malone was charged with two counts of murder, domestic violence, and tampering with physical evidence in the June 2 shooting of 29-year-old Vienna Peoples and 14-year-old Labria Miller in the 3900 block of Miami Avenue.
According to an arrest citation, Malone gave a statement after being read his Miranda rights, admitting to the shooting. He also admitted to destroying a cellphone belonging to one of the victims and throwing the gun he used in the shooting out of a car window.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment June 3.
In court Thursday, Louisville Metro Police Det. Russell Lassiter said Malone told investigators he and Peoples, who were in a relationship, argued the day before and tensions continued into the next day. Malone allegedly told police Peoples tried to grab a gun, but he got to it first. Lassiter said Malone then went into Miller's room in a panic, telling investigators he accidentally shot her.
"By his statement, brought up some past traumas that she had endured. He said at that point, he believed she was going for the gun, but he beat her to the gun," Lassiter said. "And in his words, bloodlust took over and he shot her several times."
The detective said Malone told him he called a Lyft to take other children who were in the home to a safe location. While in the car, he said he threw away the gun and broke a victim's cellphone. His attorney questioned what the children and driver may have witnessed, and whether there is additional evidence.
The victims' mother and grandmother said they want justice. Malone's case is scheduled to be presented to a grand jury July 13.
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