A 16-year-old teen has been charged as an adult in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson at Alderwood Mall on July 3.
Samuel Gizaw, 16, was charged Tuesday in Snohomish County on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and juvenile possession of a firearm.
According to charging documents, prosecutors allege Gizaw and his friend were confronted by a group of five teenage boys near the mallâs food court.
After words were exchanged, one of the boys punched Gizaw in the face.
Prosecutors say Gizaw then pulled out a firearm, which caused the five boys to run.
Gizaw chased after them and fired a shot, which hit Woods-Johnson, killing her. She was a bystander at the mall, shopping with her best friend.
The prosecutorâs office asked for $2 million bail.
Woods-Johnsonâs family is sharing their grief and outrage after their loved one was taken so suddenly.
âSheâs definitely the spunky girl that lights up a room,â says Cheryl Huffman, Jaydaâs cousin.
Family members describe Jayda as a girl with infectious laughter, excited to start 8th grade.
âShe loved music. She loved movies. She wanted to be an actress,â says Huffman. âIt was his decision to get a gun. It was his decision to carry a gun. It was his decision to shoot her; to pull the trigger. He made a lot of decisions that ended up murdering our baby girl.â
The mother of the Gizaw was the one to turn him in.
âFor her to just be taken in such a tragic way. It breaks all of our hearts. We are shattered to the depth of our souls right now,â says Huffman.
A GoFundMe page for Jaydaâs family has been set up for those wishing to donate.
A spokesman for the Alderwood Mall tells KIRO 7 they are beefing up security for the safety of shoppers.
The mall will add three additional security staff and a K-9 unit.
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