Jayda, forever 13, remains a symbol of a life taken too soon and a call for change
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 […]
Forever 13: Community invited to remembrance event of Jayda Johnson at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
LYNNWOOD—One year after the tragic death of 13-year-old Jayda Johnson in a mall shooting, her family in collaboration with Support 7 are organizing a remembrance event on July 3, 2025, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park to honor her memory and advocate for stronger measures to prevent youth violence. The gathering aims […]
Support 7 pays tribute to the family of Jayda Woods-Johnson at 4th annual reception
LYNNWOOD—Approximately 350 attended the 4th Annual Reception & Auction on Sunday hosted by Support 7, a nonprofit that assists public safety agencies to effectively care for victims in real-time during events of trauma. The themes of “Community” and “Hope” for 2025 were ever so present when Executive Director Shannon Sessions and Lynnwood Police Chief Cole […]
Snohomish County judge denies reduced bail for alleged teen killer
EVERETT—After six days of careful consideration, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anna Alexander denied Samuel Gizaw attorney’s request for the court to lower his client’s bail amount from $2 million to $790,000. Judge Alexander heard oral arguments on September 4 from defense attorney Bryan Hershman, attorney for 16-year-old Gizaw who charged for the murder of 13-year-old Jayda […]
Court considering reduced bail amount for Alderwood Mall shooting suspect
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—After hearing oral arguments from defense attorney Bryan Hershman for defendant Samuel Gizaw—charged for the murder of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson—and county prosecutor Elise Deschenes on Wednesday, September 4, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anna Alexander said she will make her ruling in the coming days on the defense’s request for the court to lower […]
Parents of teen lost to mall shooting call upon lawmakers to get tougher on juvenile crime
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 […]
Lynnwood Police Chief addresses shooting at Alderwood Mall
LYNNWOOD—As Lynnwood mourns the death of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson, Police Chief Langdon shared a community message saying, “we will not settle or quietly accept this violence as the new normal.” Since 2021, juvenile arrests within the city of Lynnwood have increased 709%. On July 9, Woods-Johnson’s assailant, Samuel Gizaw, is in custody at the Denney […]
