San Francisco — A 16-year-old has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a shooting that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl last week. The tragic incident has left the community in mourning and raised alarms about youth violence.
Jayda Mabrey, a 10th grader at Gateway High School, was killed during a confrontation that escalated into gunfire near Golden Gate Avenue and Laguna Street on Friday evening. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the impact of Jayda’s death on her friends and family. “She was a cherished member of her community. To lose her at such a young age is deeply upsetting,” Jenkins stated.
In the wake of the shooting, two 16-year-old boys were also injured. Reports indicate that Jayda’s younger sister witnessed the harrowing event, further intensifying the tragedy for the family. A preliminary court hearing for the suspects took place, revealing charges against the 16-year-old related to the violent incident.
During the hearing at the Juvenile Justice Center, the accused boy shook his head as the judge outlined the charges, which included two counts of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. A 15-year-old accomplice faces similar charges for his role in wounding one of the injured boys. Both defendants have denied the allegations through their attorneys.
There is growing scrutiny regarding whether the older suspect should be tried as an adult. Jenkins noted that she will consider this option but mentioned that the younger suspect, being only 15, is ineligible for transfer to adult court. “We are facing a serious issue with gun access among our youth,” Jenkins pointed out, stressing the need for more effective gun control measures.
Should the case remain in juvenile court, the maximum sentence the 16-year-old could face is until the age of 25. On the other hand, if tried as an adult, he could be looking at a sentence ranging from 25 years to life. Jenkins criticized the current juvenile justice system, calling it flawed. She highlighted a “significant gap” between the potential consequences faced by the two defendants.
Judge Anne Costin has ordered both teens to be held in custody until their next hearing later this month. The community continues to grapple with the implications of this incident, urging officials to take meaningful actions to prevent further tragedies.