A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in his Raleigh home Friday morning during what his family says was a dispute over a pair of jeans. Authorities say the suspect, also a teenager, has been taken into custody.
The incident occurred at a home in the 1400 block of Springshire Court. According to the victim’s father, CJ Alston, two teens came to the residence under the pretense of buying jeans that his son, Cayden, was trying to sell.
When the teens refused to pay, a confrontation escalated, and one allegedly fired a gun, striking Cayden.
Alston described a heartbreaking scene, saying his son attempted to clean up his own blood after being shot. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Cayden was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect is a juvenile and has not been publicly identified due to his age. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and are reviewing all circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Neighbors expressed shock over the incident. “You don’t expect something like this to happen in our neighborhood,” one resident said.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.
Alston called the loss “unimaginable” and shared that he is now focusing on cherishing memories of his only child. Community members are also organizing vigils to honor Cayden.
This tragic event highlights the dangers of confrontations over minor disputes and has sparked renewed conversations about teen safety and gun violence in the Raleigh area.
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