LYNNWOOD, Wash. — The 16-year-old boy suspected of shooting and killing 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson at Lynnwood's Alderwood Mall on July 3 was charged Tuesday in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Samuel L. Gizaw was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault and juvenile possession of a firearm. Gizaw was charged as an adult.
Lynnwood police officers were sent to Alderwood Mall just after 6 p.m. on July 3. Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on Woods-Johnson, who was then to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. She was declared dead at the hospital.
Video from the mall's food court shows Gizaw in a dispute with a group of other teenage boys. One of the boys was captured on video punching Gizaw, according to a statement of probable cause. In response, Gizaw pulled out a gun.
The group of boys ran toward the food court exit and Gizaw chased after them. Gizaw shot at the boy who punched him, according to the probable cause statement.
The gunshot missed the boy, striking Woods-Johnson.
Police investigating the case have determined the initial dispute was over a feud that began because, during a group phone call earlier in the year, Gizaw made a disrespectful comment about a deceased person associated with the boy who punched him.
Gizaw was picked up by a group of teens after the shooting. Around 8:20 p.m. that same night, Gizaw's mother brought him to the Mukilteo Police Department, per his request, according to the statement of probable cause.
Relatives confirmed he was wearing the same clothing in surveillance video as he was when he was dropped off at the mall earlier in the day.
Relatives said they did not know how he had access to any weapons.
A firearm has not been recovered. Detectives on the case have found or been told of social media posts, including one that states police will not find a gun, "indicating that arrangements were made to dispose of this evidence," according to probable cause documents.
Gizaw was later arrested, but he posted bail.
After being charged, a warrant was issued to re-arrest Gizaw.
A court hearing was not scheduled as of Tuesday.
'She truly was an angel on Earth'
Woods-Johnson's family shared memories of her at an event Tuesday, as well as calls for justice.
"My daughter doesn't get to be here now and he got to be out on the 4th of July with his family and friends," said Jayda's mother, Tabatha Johnson. "We don't have those memories to move forward with our daughter."
Instead, what they have are the memories of the 13 years of life Jayda Woods-Johnson lived.
"She was so excited for eighth grade. She loved her friends," Johnson said. "She wasn't your average 13-year-old. She was very extra and dramatic and very loud. That's why I don't get why it was her."
Tabatha Johnson smiled when speaking about her daughter's infectious personality.
"She was just always dancing, laughing and positive no matter what. She truly was an angel on earth."
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