LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Family and friends of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson gave their final, tearful tributes to the teen who was shot and killed earlier this month. The memorial service was held at the Community Life Center in Lynwood on Sunday.
Woods-Johnson's loved ones said she was full of life. While her time with them was too short, her impact is lasting.
From an early age, the world was a stage for Woods-Johnson. A video montage played at the service showed her performing at various ages.
"The glitter everything, the singing, the dancing and her big curly hair she always wanted to be a princess and the star and she was definitely both of those," Tabatha Johnson, her mother, said.
"I will forever miss our sleepovers where I turned my home into a stage for you to sing and dance. My cherry wood floors would become an ice skating rink," Cali Huffman, Woods-Johnson's cousin, said.
She left her mark on those around her. For Woods-Johnson's loved ones, it's a hard reality that she's no longer here.
"I'm going to miss her so, so much. I almost refuse to believe that this is real and I believe that her heart is still beating although in this cruel reality, it isn't," said Ember Thorson, another cousin of Woods-Johnson's, said.
Woods-Johnson's life was cut short on July 3. She was hit by a stray bullet in the food court at Alderwood Mall after a fight broke out nearby.
"When I heard the news about Jayda, I didn't know how to react. All I could do was cry. Jayda was the sweetest person ever,” Alex Savoye, a friend of Woods-Johnson’s since 4th grade, said. "Jayda just wanted to have fun with her friend that day. Nobody knew she would lose her life at such a young age and that her brothers would have to grow up without their older sister."
The 13-year-old was looking forward to starting the 8th grade and learning to drive in a few years. Now, her family is robbed of seeing her grow up.
"It breaks my heart that none of her younger siblings will get to make memories with her," her mother said. "The world truly lost an angel on Earth."
The suspected shooter, 16-year-old Samual Gizaw is being charged as an adult for murder. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for another court hearing on Aug. 23. A tentative trial date is set for Sept. 6.
KING 5's Cornelius Hocker contributed to this report.