DETROIT – Jada Rankin, 15, was celebrating a family member's birthday party when she was fatally shot after a speeding driver became angry at requests to slow down by her brother on Oct. 16.
The family was celebrating and standing outside of a home on Detroit's west side when a man started speeding up and down the street in his vehicle.
When the family confronted the speeding driver, the driver produced a handgun and began firing shots.
Police said one of the bullets struck 15-year-old Jada Rankin. Jada later died from her injuries.
The days haven’t gotten easier for Jada’s family, knowing that her killer is still out there.
“She was everything,-- smart, funny, her school loved her,” Said Jada's grandmother, Minnie Cobb Hill. “I hope whoever did this, someone will tell, because she did not deserve to die.”
Jada was known to be a well-liked student at Sterling Heights High School with a 4.0 GPA who had dreams of becoming a doctor so she could one day deliver babies.
Family members say although an arrest and conviction won’t bring their beloved Jada back, it would help them feel justice has been served.
“It's not going to go away, it's going to be tough every day for the rest of our lives,” said Jada’s father Jimmie Rankin.
A fundraiser was held Thursday night to contribute to a $7,000 reward that will go toward information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jada’s killer.