Who killed Jada Rankin? Family waits for justice 2 years later

(WJBK) - Jada Rankin was killed in cold blood at a family gathering at her grandmother's home. Now, nearly two years later, the murder of an innocent 15-year-old remains unsolved while her family keeps her memory alive, hoping your tips can crack the case. 

Tawanna Rankin made a tearful plea on what would have been her daughter's 17th birthday.

"I need someone to speak up," she said. "You all heard something, you all know something. Jada is my daughter, I need closure."

Jada was murdered in October of 2016 as she and her family left her grandmother's home on Ardmore on Detroit's west side. Her brother admonished a driver speeding up and down the street. The driver stopped his car and opened fire into the crowd, striking Jada.

At the time she was just 15 years old.

"I can't believe today is my daughter's birthday," said Jimmie Rankin. "It all has to stop."

Jada was an honor roll student at Sterling Heights High School. She carried a 4.0 grade point average and was looking forward to being the homecoming queen. Her life and all of its potential, cut woefully short

Crime Stoppers is offering a $13,500 reward for info leading to an arrest. They will add another thousand dollars if the tip comes in by midnight of April 25.

You can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up. You never have to leave your name.