On November 10, 2014, Skky Ralphel Shine, a 30-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, was found shot to death in a vehicle in the Blackberry Ridge neighborhood of Beulah. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 1:30 a.m., when Terrance Piece Soles, a 26-year-old acquaintance of Shine, contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report the shooting.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Shine deceased in the front passenger seat of a white Toyota Avalon, with a single gunshot wound to the head. Soles was found in the same vehicle and was immediately taken into custody.
The investigation revealed that Soles and Shine had been friends, and the circumstances leading to the shooting were unclear. During the initial 911 call, Soles could be heard instructing Shine to put his hands on the dashboard and not to move. Shine's last words, "Don't shoot me," were captured before the call ended. Soles later called 911 again, requesting law enforcement to meet him at his mother's home, where he admitted to shooting Shine. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation, which included forensic analysis by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE confirmed that the 9mm pistol found in Soles' lap was the weapon used in the shooting, and Shine's DNA was identified on both the pistol and the spent casing.
Terrance Soles was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and stood trial for the killing of Skky Shine. In June 2016, an Escambia County jury convicted Soles of the charge. During the sentencing hearing, Circuit Judge John Miller noted the bizarre nature of the case, as the motive behind the shooting remained unclear. Despite the lack of a clear explanation, Soles was sentenced to 40 years in state prison, with a minimum of 25 years to be served day-for-day under Florida’s 10-20-Life statute. Throughout the trial and sentencing, both families expressed their grief and confusion over the senseless act of violence that claimed Shine's life.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of violence within the community and the devastating impact on the families involved. Shine's parents, Cynthia and Douglas Shine, spoke about their loss and the broader issue of young black males losing their lives or freedom due to senseless violence. Despite the pain, the families demonstrated forgiveness and a desire to move forward, parting ways with hugs and words of consolation after the sentencing. The investigation and prosecution of the case were handled by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Alvin “Trey” Myers, respectively.
