GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The man who pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide in the shooting death of a teenage girl in downtown Grand Rapids has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Josiah Pittman entered the guilty plea to second-degree homicide as well as a weapons charge in August, in connection to the shooting death of 15-year-old La'kyijah Williams.
"La'kyijah's death did not only take my daughter, it shook my my entire family. She was a loving, big sister, big and little sister, a caring aunt, niece, and granddaughter," said Shaqueta M. Mathison, La'kijah's mother. "The emotional toll that is beyond words. A part of my peace, my purpose, and my joy was taken from me."
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This heartbreak is sadly familiar for Mathison, who lost her son back in 2011.
"My other children are grieving deeply and live in fear that the same thing might happen to them," said Mathison.
Pittman also addressed the victim's family during his sentencing, expressing remorse for the pain he's caused.
"I wanna apologize to the victim, the victim's family for the sinful act that I committed, causing more great pain and suffering and emotional distress," said Pittman. "I hope that La'kyijah's family and friends can find it in their hearts to forgive what I've done. I understand them fully if they refuse to do so, cause forgiveness is a gift that I honestly do not deserve," said Pittman.
Police say Pittman fired several shots at a group La'kyijah was with near studio park in downtown Grand Rapids on May 18, 2024, with the intention to hit someone else, but the bullet struck her instead.
"I wish I knew what compels a young man to pick up a firearm carelessly and shoot it toward a group of people. I wish I understood that," said Judge Scott A. Noto of the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County. "Her mom already lost a child before. No one should lose one child, let alone two. And it's, it's just heart wrenching," said Noto.
Alongside his 25-50 year sentence for second degree homicide, the weapons charge Pittman pleaded guilty to comes with a sentence of 2 consecutive years in prison.
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