SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Sixteen-year-old Samuel Gizaw appeared in a Snohomish County courtroom this afternoon as his attorney petitioned the court to lower his bail.
The state alleges he fired into a crowd after a fight with teenagers inside the Alderwood mall in early July, shooting and killing 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson. The moment in question was captured on multiple camera angles.
By all accounts, Woods-Johnson was an innocent bystander. The state painted the picture of a reckless and dangerous teenager.
“There is a long history of Mr. Gizaw being violent, finding guns to be fun, all of his friends being of the same nature, and he poses a danger to this community," said Prosecuting Attorney Elise Deschenes.
"In addition, the firearm used has not been located,” she added.
The mother of Woods-Johnson is on a mission to keep the teen charged in her daughter’s killing behind bars. Tabatha Johnson petitioned the judge to not reduce Gizaw's bail.
“Today is not just our court hearing, it is also the first day of school. Jayda would have started 8th grade today, but instead, she will always be a seventh grader,” Tabatha Johnson said.
Gizaw's defense argued his family should be allowed to use their property as collateral and argued bail should be reduced from $2 million to $790,000 to possibly allow for his release as they prepare for trial.
Gizaw is being tried as an adult and has pleaded not guilty as his attorney, Bryan Hershman, argued self-defense.
“This was an ambush – he was going to get the snot kicked out of him and that was their intent and but for the fact that he had a gun on him, that’s what would have happened,” Hershman said.
The Snohomish County judge did not make a ruling, saying she needed more time to review the documents and evidence submitted. A written ruling on the issue is expected in the coming weeks.