PONTIAC, Mich., March 22, 2022 — Seven-year-old Ariah Jackson was shot and killed in Pontiac on Friday. She was struck in the back of the head in a drive-by shooting while sitting inside a parked car driven by her mother.
“When I heard the news about Ariah, I was completely lost for words, and frankly, I still am,” said State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac). “In Pontiac, we have seen a dangerous rise in crime, and too many lives have been lost this year to gun violence. This is not a problem that can’t be fixed, and I don’t understand why children still have to die before we realize that fact. My heart goes out to Ariah’s family. We must fix the problem of gun violence in our city together, and I promise not to stop fighting until we do.”
Carter has been advocating for victims of gun violence and gun legislation for many years following the deaths of her nephew and son. She is the vice chair of the Gun Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus. Carter is also a member of Pontiac Universal Crimes, Moms Demand Action, Every Town for Gun Safety and a nationwide task force to combat “Shoot First” laws.