10-Year-Old Girl Killed By Fourth Of July Drive-By Shooting In Vineland Identified As Jasayde Holder
VINELAND, N.J. (CBS) -- Authorities in Cumberland County have identified a 10-year-old girl who was shot and killed during a Fourth of July drive-by shooting. The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday identified the victim as Jasayde Holder.
Eyewitness News spoke to Jasayde's mom on Tuesday. She did not want to go on camera, but she was still visibly grieving for her daughter, a rising fifth grader who was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tuesday afternoon, Jasayde's family, including her mother, tied balloons and set candles outside the home on the 700 block of West Earl Drive where the 10-year-old was shot Sunday night.
The Vineland Police Department was called to a local hospital around 11:17 p.m. Sunday for a report of a child who had been shot and died from her injuries.
"I think it was around 11, 11:15, and all I heard was just fireworks and then I heard sounds that did not sound like fireworks. It just sounded like three shots, so I knew it was gunshots," a neighbor said.
Officials describe the incident as a drive-by shooting. Neighbors and friends of the family tell Eyewitness News the little girl was at a Fourth of July gathering at her grandmother's house. It's not clear who the intended target may have been.
"Very nice, quiet, easy-going person, don't get in trouble," a neighbor said. "It's not really how the person is, it's other people that can be connected."
Jasayde, described by her family as creative, a young girl who loved music and riding her bike, was heading into fifth grade at Dane Barse Elementary School.
In a statement, school officials said they're "deeply saddened" and "she will be missed greatly," adding they will be providing counseling services for students and staff in the days ahead.
"If people are retaliating or people are trying to get back at other people, think before you act because there are other lives and other innocent people who get involved," one neighbor said.
Officials are asking for the public's help to identify Jasayde's killer and a motive.
Authorities are asking the public to come forward with any information by calling 609-579-1431 or by submitting information at CCPO.TIPS.
CBS3's Alicia Roberts contributed to this report.
