A Michigan man will spend decades behind bars for the shooting death of a 15-year-old girl who was riding her scooter with friends while celebrating a birthday in downtown Grand Rapids.

Josiah Tyree Pittman, 19, was sentenced to 27 to 52 years in prison for second-degree murder and felony firearms in the death of La'Kyijah Williams. Pittman pleaded guilty to the charges in August.

Pittman was walking in the area just before midnight on May 18, 2024, when he pulled out a gun and fired into the group of teens La'Kyijah was with, according to a courtroom report from local ABC affiliate WZZM . The teen girl was struck in the head and died. Surveillance video captured the shooting.

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