Loved ones take turns speaking and consoling each other during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Loved ones take turns speaking and consoling each other during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘My heart drops’: Hundreds honor Alderwood shooting victim, 13

Loved ones spoke at a vigil Sunday to honor Jayda Woods-Johnson, who was shot and killed at Alderwood Mall days earlier.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — “Long live Jayda.”

This is how many loved ones finished their tributes at a vigil Sunday for the 13-year-old girl shot and killed at Alderwood Mall on Thursday.

Hundreds dressed in red gathered on the track at Mountlake Terrace High School to commemorate Jayda Woods-Johnson, who recently finished seventh grade at Brier Terrace Middle School.

“My heart drops every time I think of her,” said Bakary Sillah, who had known Woods-Johnson since fourth grade. “Nobody intends to go to the mall to get killed.”

People begin leaving candles in front of a photo of Jayda Woods-Johnson during a vigil held in her memory at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

People begin leaving candles in front of a photo of Jayda Woods-Johnson during a vigil held in her memory at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, Woods-Johnson was at the Alderwood Mall with friends when a fight broke out between two other groups in the food court, according to Lynnwood police. One boy, 16, allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the other group, hitting Woods-Johnson, who wasn’t involved in the fight.

She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The boy, of Edmonds, fled the scene, but his mother turned him in. He posted $500,000 bond the next day. Charges had not been filed against the teen, as of Friday.

Red balloons surround a photo of Jayda Woods-Johnson during a vigil held in her memory at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Red balloons surround a photo of Jayda Woods-Johnson during a vigil held in her memory at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Dozens of classmates, friends and family spoke as the sun went down Sunday.

Woods-Johnson was an athlete on the track and field team and a movie lover, her friends said. They described her as a kind, smart girl whose presence lit up the room.

Classmate Macy Nearing told the crowd what her friend’s death taught her.

“I’m realizing no one is promised safety anywhere, to always keep your guard up, and to never take anything for granted,” Nearing said through tears Sunday. “Always tell loved ones and friends you love them, no matter how mad you are at them. You are my beautiful sweet angel, Jayda.”

Macy Nearing, alongside Kayri Alverez, wipes away tears while speaking during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Macy Nearing, alongside Kayri Alverez, wipes away tears while speaking during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Alongside other elected officials, Lynnwood City Council member Josh Binda recalled the 2016 shooting in Mukilteo that left three teens, all 19, dead and another injured.

“Something needs to change,” Binda told the crowd. “We need to do something with our youth. We need to find out what’s going on, and we need to make sure that we are continuing to be good role models and leaders for them to not want to take measures like this. “

Community members gather to mourn during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community members gather to mourn during a vigil held in memory of Jayda Woods-Johnson at Mountlake Terrace High School on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Around 9:30 p.m., the vigil ended with a final prayer. As of Sunday, a fundraiser for funeral expenses had raised over $42,000.

Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.