LANHAM, Md. — Police in Prince George's County have made an arrest in the shooting that left a 16-year-old DuVal High School student dead earlier this week. Investigators say a boy was arrested on Thursday evening.
Police say the 17-year-old Flowers High School student from Glenarden will be charged as an adult with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and a firearms charge. He is in custody on a no-bond status.
Jayda Medrano-Moore was shot and killed Monday around 4 p.m. Prince George's County Police said the teen was walking along Palamar Drive shortly after school let out when two groups of people got into a fight. Medrano-Moore's younger brother was present. Her father, Glendon Reid, told WUSA9 that his daughter was trying to appeal to a suspect with a gun to put it down when he shot her.
According to charging documents, a witness told police that a suspect wearing a black ski mask and dark clothing followed Medrano-Moore's group of friends while talking on the phone -- walking from Good Luck Road to the 9800 block of Palamar Drive.
A gray or black four-door sedan pulled up, and approximately five additional suspects got out, the witness said. The suspect's group approached the victim's group, and there was a fight.
One suspect pulled out a handgun. According to the charging documents, Medrano-Moore tried to take the gun away, and there was a struggle. The suspect pistol whipped Medrano-Moore and then shot her in the head. The suspect's group fled the scene.
"It's just like a nightmare, oh my goodness it's so terrible," Reid said. "We want the public to know that she was an innocent bystander, a loving child, very good at basketball, and her future was bright until this loss. Her future was very bright."
Reid started a GoFundMe to raised money for funeral services. Another GoFundMe for the family has been organized by Jayda's aunt, Linette Perez.
Police confirmed Reid's account that Medrano-Moore was not the intended target of the fighting.
Reid added that his daughter was a well-known ball player at DuVal High, and had aspirations of playing for the WNBA. She would have turned 17 on Sept. 24.
Prince George's County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House described the crime as a "devastating loss of a bright, vibrant student."
"Her potential, quite frankly, boundless. Her dreams and aspirations, talent promising," House said. "She was a dedicated student and beloved daughter, cherished friend and a source of inspiration for many."
Prince George's County leaders on Friday expressed sadness and frustration over the loss of such a bright student.
"Jayda was a star in every sense of the word," County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said.
Police Chief Malik Aziz called the teen's murder a shock to the entire community.
"Now we know it was another juvenile armed with a gun who stole her future and shattered her family," Aziz said.
Now the case moves to the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office. Aisha Braveboy said she is confident her office will get justice. She addressed the county's youth directly during Friday's press conference.
"To our young people: You are not outsmarting the police... You will not scare your peers into silence. They will speak up, and they have spoken up in this case. Now you will be held accountable," Braveboy said.
Chief Aziz said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and more arrests can't be ruled out. He also said the weapon used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.
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