Family of teen drive-by victim Jada Rankin wants justice

(WJBK) - It has been more than a year since a horrific crime took the life of 15-year-old Jada Rankin from Sterling Heights. 

Ever since then, the family and detectives have been searching for justice. Joining FOX 2's Dave Spencer for Michigan's Most Wanted are family members and a detective with the Detroit Police Department. 

Jada was at her brother's 23rd birthday party at her grandmother's house on Ardmore Street near Grand River and Schoolcraft when a speeding car came down the street. Her brother flagged him down, telling him to slow down. 

Someone in the car responded by opening fire on the crowd. Jada was the only one who got hit, dying from her gunshot wounds. 

"You don't want to lose any child, period. you know, even a family member, nobody. but to lose your daughter is something else," her father said. "Jada's a princess, a queen, you know, to the highest level. She was an excellent student, she earned straight As. She was very popular and everybody knew her.

"The principal loved her, the city loved her, just all around. I can't even come up with all the words. She did so much that I didn't even know of, a lot of different things she did helping people and helping kids, and taking care of relatives. more than what I knew at the time."

Her father said it would have mean the world to him, to get the killer off the street.

Police are looking for more tips and information to bring Jada's killer to justice. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $13,500 for any information that leads to the arrest of the killer. As always, they don't need your name, just the information. Call 1-800-SPEAK-UP.