In the warm twilight of the Fourth of July in 2021, a day typically filled with joyous celebration, tragedy struck a family in Vineland, New Jersey. Ten-year-old Jasayde Aida-Lee Holder, a young girl with a pure soul and a heartwarming smile, was fatally wounded in a senseless act of violence. She was at a family gathering at her grandmother's house on West Earl Drive when a drive-by shooting occurred just after 11 p.m.
The young girl, who was about to enter the fifth grade, was rushed to a local hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Jasayde was remembered by her family as a uniquely creative child who found joy in riding her bike, listening to music, and bringing her own imaginative animations and short stories to life. She had a special bond with her grandparents, often playing in her grandmother's garden and enjoying the swing her grandfather built for her. Her love for nature extended to creating 'gourmet' meals for her family from its bounty. She was a cherished big cousin and a student at Barse Elementary School, where she had once been named student of the month.
In the wake of this devastating loss, the community mourned alongside Jasayde's family. An investigation into her death led to the arrests of three men from Cumberland County. Xavier L. Bogan, William L. Harris, and Karonjah N. Witt were charged in connection with the shooting. Harris faced charges of first-degree murder and first-degree aggravated manslaughter, while Bogan and Witt were charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities believe the suspects were also involved in another shooting that took place earlier the same evening on Francine Drive. The investigation utilized video surveillance and witness statements to identify the vehicle used in the drive-by shooting, which was registered to Bogan. He later admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the incident and implicated Harris and Witt. The three men were subsequently held in Cumberland County Jail.
