Mikayla Pickett, an 8-year-old from Akron, Ohio, was killed on August 14, 2020, when gunfire erupted at a birthday party on Roselle Avenue. A 14-year-old girl was also wounded in the same shooting. Mikayla had been taken to the party by a babysitter and was due to start third grade at Portage Path Community Learning Center; family described her as happy, lovable, and fond of dancing and gymnastics.

The investigation produced multiple arrests. On April 28, 2023, 22-year-old Robert Scott was arrested in Michigan and charged with aggravated murder and felonious assault. Two other men already incarcerated on unrelated charges, 21-year-old Emahni Thomas and 37-year-old Donte Farmer, were charged with the same counts. An 18-year-old was arrested on May 15, 2023, facing similar charges. The Akron Police Department, with help from the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, says the probe remains ongoing as authorities seek additional suspects.

Mikayla’s family and the community continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Did anyone at the party or nearby that day see something that could help investigators?