MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The trial of Gayle Renard Blount, 55, continued Tuesday with intense testimony from his former fiancée, Bridget Knighton, who survived a brutal shooting in May 2021.
Knighton, visibly emotional as she spoke, recounted the chilling events of that day when Blount allegedly shot her eight times after violating a restraining order.
Knighton, who was in a relationship with Blount for several years, described how she had suffered repeated assaults at his hands before the shooting.
She testified that on May 21, 2021, Blount showed up at her Miami Gardens apartment despite a restraining order that prohibited him from contacting her. She said it was the third time that day he had shown up uninvited.
According to Knighton, Blount became enraged after an argument and went to his car to retrieve a gun.
She testified that, while sitting on a sofa, Blount pulled out the gun from his sweatpants and pulled the trigger multiple times, hitting her eight times.
Knighton said as Blount pulled out a gun he told her, “Look what you made me do.”
Knighton’s testimony detailed the horror she faced as Blount allegedly fired shots at her.
“Every time you pull the trigger, you said something,” Knighton added when testifying in court Tuesday.
Authorities said the shooting left Knighton with life-threatening injuries.
Last week, Knighton testified that she underwent 11 surgeries and still suffers from chronic pain.
She also described how the physical toll of the attack has left her with long-term disability, including the need to use a cane for walking.
Despite her ongoing health issues, Knighton appeared resolute, seeking justice as she shared her experience in the courtroom.
Blount was originally set to plead guilty to attempted murder and accept a 20-year prison sentence.
However, after hearing Knighton’s detailed testimony, the judge determined that the plea deal was not sufficient given the severity of the crime. The judge ruled that Blount’s actions warranted a trial, and the case proceeded to court.
Blount remains in custody while awaiting the verdict. The trial is expected to continue throughout the week, with more testimony from both sides.
The trial is expected to conclude Thursday afternoon, according to the judge overseeing the case.
