Lynnwood Police Looking for Help With Deadly Alderwood Mall Shooting

Jayda Woods-Johnson was shot at the Alderwood Mall

On July 3, 2024,16 year old Samuel Gizaw was arrested for shooting 13 year old Jayda Woods Johnson at the Alderwood Mall.

Gizaw was held on probable cause at the Denney Youth Center in Everett, WA for Murder 1st Degree and Assault 1st Degree.

Gizaw’s first court appearance was on July 4, 2024 where the Judge set bail without conditions input from the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, due to the holiday court. Gizaw posted bail and was released from custody.

On July 9, 2024, after additional investigation 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 $2 million bail. Gizaw turned himself in and remains in custody at the Denney Youth Center.

The gun used in this incident has not been located. Anyone who voluntarily turns the gun in will not be arrested. Please contact LPD Detectives at crimetips@lynnwoodwa.gov if the gun is in your possession or you know who has it.

Detectives are attempting to identify and interview two females who accompanied Samuel Gizaw to see a movie on July 3, 2024 at the AMC 16 at the Alderwood Mall. If you are one of these females or you know who the females are, please contact LPD Detectives at crimetips@lynnwoodwa.gov.

Jayda’s family wanted to share this message:

Our precious Jayda was a 13-year-old girl full of life who loved all things about it. She loved exploring new places, singing, dancing. She seemed to know every song and movie ever made. She loved her two little brothers and was her baby brother’s favorite person.

A quiet Jayda was rare, as she was a firecracker that could light up any room she was in. Infected everyone around her with laughter and playfulness. She was the type of person to roll down a grassy hill and get everyone else to follow.

While we are absolutely devastated and numb by this, we are grateful to Lynnwood Police for their diligence and commitment to finding justice for our daughter.

However, we are sickened and even more troubled to learn yesterday how the court has failed to protect our daughter and any future victims.

“We are extremely disappointed and disgusted to learn the mall shooter, the 16 year old, responsible for murdering our daughter, is shockingly already out on bail back comfortable in his home. This is completely unreasonable and an example as to why this continues to occur too often in our country, our justice system isn’t taking a strong enough stand against those who are committing these senseless acts of violence” said Jayda’s mom, Tabatha Johnson.

Thank you to the community for the outpouring of kind messages toward us and Jayda, we also appreciate the privacy as we navigate this nightmare.

Jayda’s family set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses and raised $46,510 of their $40,000 goal from 968 donations.

About My Everett News Staff

My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring news and events in Everett, Washington. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live, work, and play in Everett.

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