16-year-old boy arrested in connection with fatal Alderwood Mall shooting released on bail

LYNNWOOD, Washington — The 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old girl inside the Alderwood Mall on Wednesday has been released from custody, according to Snohomish County Juvenile Court.

The Edmonds teen was being held on $500,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court Friday. He will not appear again, the court said.

The teenager was arrested following an altercation between two groups of people at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. He allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at one group.

The bullet struck Jayda Woods-Johnson, 13, who was not connected to either group, police said. Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital where she died of her injuries.

VIDEO | 13-year-old girl shot dead during altercation at Alderwood Mall

The teenager was taken to the police station later that night by his mother.

“The Lynnwood Police Department extends its deepest sympathy to the (victim’s) family and friends for their unimaginable loss due to this senseless act of violence,” the Lynnwood Police Department wrote in a news release.

Alderwood Mall was briefly closed after the shooting.

The weapon used in the incident has not been recovered and detectives continue to investigate the case, police said.