MUKILTEO—Roughly 200 gathered at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Thursday, July 3, to celebrate the life of Jayda Johnson, whose life was tragically cut short when a stray bullet, allegedly fired by Samuel Gizaw, struck and killed the seventh grader in the food court of the Alderwood Mall. Now, one year later, the family is still seeking justice and urging legislators for juvenile criminal justice reform and funding for juvenile gun violence prevention.
“It’s comforting,” said Cheryl Huffman on Thursday’s turnout for the remembrance bonfire event. “There has been emails and outreach from people around the world. Jayda has touched so many lives. The stories we had to hear from people we didn’t know existed and how Jayda brightened their day…. We got to know Jayda outside of being a family member through the lens of her friends.”
Both Cheryl and Cali Huffman felt grateful for spending a whole week with their cousin Jayda prior to her being taken from them. Cali emphasized what she called “many signs leading up to this tragedy” by the alleged shooter, Gizaw, who came from a stable and affluent family but still chose violence.
“There’s hundreds and hundreds of kids posting their guns on social media publicly, and there’s nowhere to send that information to,” Cali told the Lynnwood Times. “And it doesn’t take a lot of digging. It’s there. It’s open. It has their name, their face, it’s public.”
Cali criticized the lack of consequences for juveniles caught with firearms in Washington state, describing the current system as “catch and release.”
“We’re just asking for more accountability,” Cali added.
Currently there is a petition for “Jayda’s Law” on Change.org, which seeks stricter penalties for juveniles possessing or discharging firearms in public spaces along with preventative measures. Jayda’s Law seeks to enact the following:
- Juveniles accused of serious crimes like murder to be held in custody for 24–72 hours during initial investigations, with no option for release on bail or ankle monitors, to prevent evasion of prosecution.
- Juveniles who illegally possess firearms to face adult penalties, including detention in juvenile facilities until the age of 18, followed by potential jail time.
- Juveniles with no prior criminal history found illegally possessing a firearm to receive a minimum of six months of community service, working with gun violence victims, alongside monitored probation and 12 months of mandatory counseling.
- Parents or guardians of juvenile offenders to be financially responsible for victims’ medical bills, memorial costs, and time off work for grieving. If the juvenile has a prior criminal history, parents could face criminal liability.
A bracelet from the vigil held for Jayda at Brier Terrace Middle School a year ago, is kept in her car as a daily reminder of the need to support youth, Mayor Frizzell shared with the Lynnwood Times during Thursday’s event.
“It [the bracelet] moves me to remember that we need to be taking care of our youth,” said Frizzell. “We need to be giving our youth positive places to be, positive places to gather that are safe, that aren’t filled with weapons, that are filled with activities and age-appropriate things there.”
Frizzell added that she will work with groups like the Access Project which collaborates with schools to support at-risk youth and guide them toward positive paths.
Jayda, a seventh grader at Brier Terrace Middle School who would have entered eighth grade that fall, was an innocent bystander caught between a violent altercation between then-16-year-old Samuel Gizaw, who was suspended from school at the time, and another teen. During the altercation, Gizaw allegedly discharged a firearm, fatally striking Jayda in her back near her right shoulder, with the bullet traveling through her body, hitting her right lung and her heart, then exiting through her upper left chest. Jayda succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.
Gizaw, a student at Kamiak High School in the Mukilteo School District, was turned over to law enforcement by his mother and initially released on a $500,000 bond the following day. Gizaw eventually pled not guilty to charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. He currently remains in custody on $2 million bail with an expected trail date in January of 2026.
Jayda was remembered as a bright and joyful presence who wanted to be an actress, a singer, and dancer when she grew up. She was a hard-working student with a love for art and science, maintained good grades and presented a kind demeanor.
Her favorite color was red, and she enjoyed romance films like The Notebook, running track, dancing, eating ramen noodles, and sending playful videos to her friends.
“Jayda I will always remember you. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the moments we spent together,” said her friend Macy at the 2024 vigil held in her honor.
On July 7, 2024, hundreds of people gathered at Mountlake Terrace High School’s football field for a candlelight vigil to mourn Jayda’s death. Attendees wore red shirts in tribute to her favorite color.
The vigil, opened with a prayer by Pastor Sean Perez, followed by opportunities for family, friends, and community members to share memories. Attendees left flowers and offered prayers by photos of Jayda, with many calls for justice.
Amid the tragedy, the bravery of three Alderwood Mall employees—Ruby Robles-Muniz, Joe Nieves-Rogue, and Chris Marsh—was highlighted at Support 7’s 4th Annual Reception & Auction on April 13, 2025. These individuals rushed to Jayda’s aid immediately after the shooting, attempting to save her life.
Maelisa Nawas, Jayda’s best friend who was with her at the time, praised their efforts, noting that they helped calm her and provided critical support and comfort to Jayda in her final moments. Support 7, a nonprofit assisting public safety agencies, recognized the trio for their heroism, with Jayda’s parents, Tabatha and Jeremy Johnson, present to express gratitude for the community’s support.
Now, one year later, Jayda’s memory endures through community efforts like Thursday’s remembrance bonfire.
As Tabatha Johnson shared, “A whole community was shaken that day… One terrible choice created a ripple that hasn’t stopped.” Jayda, forever 13, remains a symbol of a life taken too soon and a call for change.
Lynnwood political officials attending Thursday’s event were Lynnwood City Councilman Robert Leutwyler and Lynnwood City Council candidates Dio Boucsieguez and Brandon Kimmel.
Author: Mario Lotmore
