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Detroit woman hits $1 million Powerball prize drawn on Christmas day

Posted at 9:52 AM, Jan 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-03 09:52:34-05

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — A Detroit woman is much richer after hitting a $1 million Powerball prize in the Christmas Day drawing.

Shatarra Johnson, 30, matched all five white balls drawn on Dec. 25 – 02-04-16-30-46.

She bought her ticket at the 7-Eleven on Harper Ave. in St. Clair Shores.

According to Johnson, her mother kept suggesting she buy a ticket.

"I was out shopping with my mom, and she kept suggesting I buy a ticket," Johnson said in a Michigan Lottery release. "We were passing a 7-Eleven, and even though I was feeling pretty tired, I pulled in and bought a ticket.

"I didn't think much about it after that. The night of the drawing, I laid down in my bed for the night and I remembered I had a ticket for the Powerball drawing that night. I got out of bed and checked my ticket and with each number I read, I got more excited. When I realized I won $1 million, I was shocked!"

She visited the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing on Thursday to claim her prize.

Johnson said she plans to pay off her student loans, take a vacation with her mom and save the remainder of her winnings.

"Winning and knowing I can pay off my student loans takes a lot of stress off me. I'm so glad I listened to my mom!" she said.