LYNNWOOD—The family of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson, who was tragically struck down by a bullet while hanging out at Lynnwood’s Alderwood Mall last month, are calling upon the Washington State legislature to enact, what they’re naming, “Jayda’s Law” which would have harsher consequences for juveniles who commit serious crimes.
Woods-Johnson was visiting the Alderwood Mall with friends on July 3, 2024, when she was caught by a stray bullet fired by 16-year-old Samuel Gizaw.
Gizaw had gotten into a fight minutes earlier near the food court and, upon getting punched in the face by another teenaged male, pulled out a loaded firearm and fired. The bullet was intended for Gizaw’s assaulter but struck Woods-Johnson, an innocent bystander not involved in the altercation, instead. According to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner autopsy reports indicate the bullet entered the teenager’s back, near her right shoulder blade, piercing her lungs and heart. Despite lifesaving efforts at a nearby hospital Woods-Johnson was pronounced dead later that day.
The 16-year-old shooter was turned in by his mother but was immediately released on bail the following morning.
On July 9, 2024, after additional investigation were found by detectives, the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office filed adult charges for Murder 1st Degree, Murder 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm on Gizaw in Superior Court. A Superior Court Judge approved an arrest warrant with a $2 million bail. Gizaw appeared in Court pleading “Not Guilty” and is currently being held in a detention Center awaiting trial.
The bail hearing for Samuel Gizaw is scheduled for September 4, before Judge Anna Alexander.
“While he was given the luxury to go home and celebrate the 4th of July holiday with his friends and family, Jayda’s family and friends were devastated and forced to experience the harsh pains of having to plan a candlelight vigil and then Jayda’s memorial arrangements,” wrote Ja-Me Thorson, the organizer of a petition to get Jayda’s Law passed. “It is absolutely ludicrous and unacceptable that this young man took Jayda’s life and has faced no serious consequences as of yet. Samuel and his friends have been parading online on social media that they have access to firearms and that the gun that killed Jayda will never be found. These other teens should be at risk of being charged with obstruction of justice and being accessories to murder.”
As of Tuesday, August 27, 3,795 have signed that petition to bring Jayda’s Law to lawmakers desks.
Jayda’s Law stipulates a no bail, no release, policy for juveniles who commit serious crime such as murder and calls for a 24 to 72 hour minimum hold time in police custody while the details of the crime are being investigated. Gizaw was released without the firearm involved in the crime being found.
The proposed law would also try juveniles involved in serious crimes similar to adults which Jayda’s family said would deter other juveniles from committing serious crimes such as murder.
The law also proposes that those who do not possess a prior criminal history but is found to be in illegal possession of a firearm serve a mandatory six-months of community service interacting victims of gun violence, and twelve months of counseling.
And lastly the law proposes parents of juveniles who commit serious crimes be held accountable financially, for medical bills and memorial arrangements and so the parents of a deceased victim may have the opportunity to take time off work to grieve.
Jayda was described by her friends and family, during a candlelight vigil on Mountlake Terrace High School’s football field July 7, as “the happiest and sweetest little girl on earth.”
“She had everything going for her and her whole life ahead of her. She was beautiful, loving, extremely funny and outgoing, and she undoubtedly brought a smile to everyone’s face whom she met. She wanted to be an actress, a singer, and dancer. She was going to be a superstar!!! Our family had no idea that she would become famous for the way she died. Her memory will be honored and she will never be forgotten,” her family wrote.
Lynnwood City Council leadership and Lynnwood Police held a community conversation on youth crime in the city on August 22 discussing the rising rate of juvenile crime in the region.
