LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Two years after a 13-year-old girl was shot and killed at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, the accused shooter was back in a Snohomish County courtroom Wednesday.
18-year-old Samuel Gizaw not only entered into a plea deal but also apologized.
With the guilty plea, the charge against Gizaw went from first-degree to second-degree murder.
“Do you make this plea freely and voluntarily?” asked the judge. “Yes, your honor,” responded Gizaw.
Gizaw was arrested for the death of Jayda Woods-Johnson.
On July 3, 2024, prosecutors say a group of boys got into a fight in the Alderwood Mall food court.
Security video shows a boy punching Gizaw in the face. As several boys ran off, Gizaw pulled a gun and opened fire.
A bullet hit Jayda, who was walking by with a friend.
The girl died at the scene and Gizaw took off, then turned himself in later that night.
During the plea hearing, he made a statement: “I’d like to say that I’m truly sorry for my actions and take full responsibility for what I did. I made such a horrible mistake at such a young age that affected the lives of many people. I hope that today’s guilty plea brings more closure to the family. I’m so sorry for what I did. I can’t even imagine what they go through every day.”
Jayda’s parents say they were stunned to hear Gizaw’s apology but question whether it’s sincere, adding that they just want justice for their daughter.
“I don’t know so much about healing and recovery. Jayda’s gone forever – they’ll still get to see their son,” said Tabatha Johnson, Jayda’s mother.
“If he truly does feel the way... that he feels sorry and everything, that’d be nice, give me a little bit of comfort, but I still feel that no matter what, what you did, you deserve to do your time for it,” said Jeremy Johnson, Jayda’s father.
Sentencing for Gizaw is scheduled for Oct. 23.