Teen Kills ‘Friend’ Over Jeans; Father Shares Chilling Account of Son’s Final Moments

A teenager from Northern California allegedly shot and killed another teenager over a pair of jeans. The victim allegedly refused to hand over a pair of Ksubi jeans, which the suspect wanted to buy, but would not pay for.

The victim, Cayden Alston-Arnold,15, was shot and killed by another teenager shortly before 12 p.m. on March 20. Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect or details about the charges he may face.

The victim’s father, Courtney Alston, told ABC affiliate WTVD and NBC affiliate WRAL that the suspect came to his son to buy a pair of jeans. Alston, who was not home at the time, said he reviewed the Ring camera footage and captured activity outside the house before the shooting.

“I could tell by the way they were acting that they were a little bit kind of adamant about getting inside the house. They were going around to the back of the house asking which one was his window,” Alston said.

“Cayden was in here running around… trying to clean up his own blood. From the bathroom to the closet floor, the kitchen, everywhere.” Alston said.

By the time Alston returned home, his son had collapsed. The teen was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Alston said the suspect refused to pay for the jeans and Alston-Arnold would not give them up, which is when the suspect allegedly opened fire. “At first, it looked like he could survive the gunshot wound," Alston said.

Speaking to WRAL, Alston said his sister called him to tell him that his son was shot. “She said he was going to be okay, because Cayden told her so,” he said

The teen allegedly told his aunt that he was good and was going to be fine.

A GoFundMe campaign was started by Alston to cover funeral costs.

“On March 20, my son was murdered at his own home by a so-called close friend. His life was cut short behind some Kusib jeans,” Alston wrote.

Although the prosecutor has filed a petition seeking to bring criminal charges, police have not released additional details because the suspect is a minor. Given the suspect's age, the case may be handled in juvenile court.