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Two years after 12-year-old Mariah Smith was murdered, Jayden Burch was found guilty Wednesday on several related charges.
LAKE CITY, Fla. — In a tragic case that took place two years ago involving a 12-year-old girl’s murder in her Lake City home, a teenager was convicted on Wednesday for various charges tied to her tragic demise.
Jayden Burch was held accountable for second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a weapon related to the death of Mariah Smith.
Mariah, 12, was killed on August 24, 2023, after bullets went flying through her home, striking her while she was sitting on a couch.
Police arrived at Mariah’s residence on NW Long Street after the shooting incident, discovering her with a gunshot wound. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, she succumbed to her injuries.
Four days after Mariah was killed, Lake City police arrested 14-year-old Jatarious Flullen II in connection with her murder.
Come October 2023, authorities in Miami apprehended Burch, who was 15 at the incident’s time, in relation to Smith’s murder. After examining evidence and conducting thorough interviews, investigators established sufficient grounds to make the arrest.
And in February 2024, a third teen was arrested in connection to Mariah’s murder, 17-year-old Matthew Rice.
On Dec. 13, 2023, Lake City renamed the street name Mariah lived on in honor of her.
City officials renamed NW Long Street to ‘Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street.’
“This is historic,” declared Mariah’s mother, Todneisha Filer, at a ceremony dedicated in Mariah’s honor. “Lake City has never before taken such an action. No family should endure this pain, and I pray we can put an end to gun violence.”
“The dedication of the Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street stands as a solemn promise to remember Mariah and all victims affected by gun violence,” said Assistant City Manager Dee Johnson. “We hope this memorial ignites dialogue, inspires change, and endures as a symbol of remembrance for generations.”
NW Long Street is no stranger to gun violence.
Just a month before Mariah was killed, a 19-year-old was found shot on NW Long Street after officers responded to gunshots fired in the area that were picked up by a gunshot detection system. The teen was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
According to court records, Burch will be back in court on Oct. 13 to be sentenced.
