Jajuan McDonald (21) and Justin Rouser (23) were convicted of first-degree murder on January 28, 2026, for the March 18, 2022, drive-by shooting death of 7-year-old Ariah Jackson in Pontiac, Michigan. Now facing life sentences, the pair—who were 17 and 19 at the time—were also found guilty of four counts of assault with intent to murder and five felony firearm charges.
Shooting Details
Ariah was riding home from school with her mother, sister, and two cousins (ages 6, 7, 11) when Rouser, driving an orange Chevrolet Blazer, followed their car to a driveway near Paddock St. and Wilson Ave. McDonald fired eight shots, striking Ariah in the back of the head and grazing her mother; the other girls escaped injury. Her father rushed her inside before deputies transported her to a hospital, where she soon died.
Gang Motive
Prosecutors tied the attack to the “4-Block” gang, with Rouser as a confirmed member; the motive linked to prior disputes. Rouser was arrested fleeing a Troy home in a ski mask; McDonald surrendered March 28, 2022.
Legal Outcome
Juries convicted both on all counts after years of proceedings. Due to their ages, Michigan law gives prosecutors 21 days to seek life without parole; sentencing reviews are set for March 3 (Rouser) and March 10 (McDonald). Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized accountability amid gun violence concerns.
