Janaija Lanea Johnson, known to family and friends as Naij, was 16 when she was killed in Wilmington, Delaware in the early morning hours of April 7, 2020. Police were called around 4:50 a.m. after gunfire in the area of the 200 block of North Madison Street; some reports placed her near 6th and Van Buren Streets and one account said she was in a car when she was shot. She was taken to a hospital and did not survive.

Born September 18, 2003, Janaija was a student at Concord High School who had earlier attended Eastside Charter School and had worked in a State of Delaware summer youth program. Her obituary described her as stylish, bright, and full of personality, someone who loved fashion, hairstyles, music and track, and whose smile and dimples stood out to those who knew her.

Initial public details were limited: investigators did not announce a motive or release a suspect description in the immediate aftermath. The Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit continued seeking leads and directed tips to Detective Brianna Rodrigues and Delaware Crime Stoppers. If anyone knew Janaija or has information about the shooting, please contact the Cold Case Unit.