Young girl, 13, fatally shot at mall by 16-year-old's stray bullet; suspect out of jail within 24 hours

LYNNWOOD, WA - Authorities with the Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) confirmed that a young girl, just 13 years old, was fatally shot after being hit by gunfire during a fight at the mall.

According to ABC News, the victim, identified as Jayda Woods-Johnson, was "tragically murdered" at the Alderwood Mall. LPD said in a statement, "The suspect has been identified as a 16-year-old male from Edmonds. He was brought in by his mother and is in custody. He will be booked into jail for murder."

Following being booked, the unnamed (presumably due to age) suspect was bailed out with a $500,000 bond Thursday, less than 24 hours after his bullet killed the girl. 

Police said that two groups had been involved in an "altercation" near the mall's food court. Woods-Johnson was not involved with either group and appears to have been struck by a stray bullet. According to reports, she was rushed to the hospital and within a few hours, she was pronounced dead.

The initial incident began around 6:00 p.m. when a fight broke out between two groups in the food court. The 16-year-old boy allegedly pulled out a gun and fired it at the group, with one of those bullets hitting Woods-Johnson. Both groups, including the suspected shooter, fled the mall following the shooting.

In a statement, Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell called the shooting a "horrible tragedy" adding, "My heart breaks for the family of this young lady killed by a senseless act of violence. I grieve for her family as they attempt to come to grips with the loss of their daughter. No one should have to go through this sorrow; the journey ahead of all who know this young lady will be difficult and they will remain in my thoughts and prayers."

LPD Deputy Chief Patrick Fagan said in a statement, "The mall is a place for the whole community to gather ... this is really an altercation between two groups." He said that is "frustrating" for the whole community, expressing his condolences to the girl's family. According to reports, the murder weapon has not yet been recovered. Detectives will continue to follow all leads and collect any available evidence.

Frizzell added, "Gun violence is ravaging our young people. It is tearing our families apart and if we allow it, it can tear at the fiber of our community as well. Brazen acts of violence and disregard for the safety of our community needs to stop. Our community members deserve to feel safe while out shopping, or dining, or simply enjoying a nice evening.

Our mall and the surrounding areas, our city parks, and our neighborhoods must remain safe and welcoming gathering places for our community members. We must come together and take a stand against these acts of senseless violence."

A spokesperson for the mall's owner, Brookfield Properties, said that the company was grateful to its security team and the police for "their quick response and leadership" during the incident. The spokesperson said, "We are completely devastated by the senseless, horrific tragedy that happened in our shopping center. Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends during this unimaginable time."

The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office wrote to KIRO news outlet, "The individual bonded yesterday. No future hearings scheduled, as of today. The matter is under review."

In a statement, the parents of Woods-Johnson said, "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. However, we are sickened and even more troubled to learn yesterday how the court has failed to protect our daughter and any future victims."