Seven Year Old Girl Killed in Pontiac Drive-By
(OCSO, March 19, 2022)
Pontiac, MI – A 7-year-old Pontiac girl who was returning home from school with her mother suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head and the mother was struck with a grazing shot to the head in a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon in Pontiac.
Ariah Jackson was struck by a single gunshot to the back of the head. Her mother was also hit in the head with a shot. Deputies soon arrived and took Ariah to the hospital in a patrol car. She was pronounced dead a short time later.
The mother, 30, declined treatment at the hospital and was released. Three other girls, ages 6, 7, and 11, were in the car at the time of the shooting and were not injured.
Detectives have identified at least one person of interest in the shooting. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the community can no longer remain silent when they have information that can help quell the violence.
“All too often we see gang members seeking to perpetrate violence against rivals strike innocent victims in the process,” Bouchard said. “This is completely unacceptable, and the tragic loss of this child will not be tolerated. If you carry or use a gun illegally in furtherance of criminal activity, we are coming for you.”
Ariah was in the car with her mother, her sister and two cousins about 4:50 p.m. Friday when the mother pulled into the driveway of a residence near Paddock and Wilson. While Ariah was still in the back seat of the car, a late model orange Chevrolet Blazer occupied by at least two males drove by and fired at least six shots.
The passenger was dressed in black and hanging out the window when he fired. The mother told Deputies she was waiting at the bus stop for her two children and two nieces and noticed an orange SUV with two males inside drive by her.
She picked up the children and headed home. As she pulled into the driveway of her residence, she noticed an orange vehicle approaching and then multiple shots were fired at her vehicle.
Ariah’s father took her from the car into the home shortly before Deputies arrived.
“We will seek the harshest charges possible from both county and federal prosecutors,” Bouchard said. “I encourage the community to express their outrage by sharing any information they have about violent individuals. It is not snitching when you take steps to protect your own family and community by sharing information. If you are as angry as I am, let’s hold these individuals accountable and prevent these tragedies in the future.”