US Rep's Grandson Killed Over Sneakers

Chicago police said charges could be announced soon in the fatal shooting of an Illinois congressman's grandson following an argument over a pair of basketball shoes, reports the AP. "First-degree murder charges are expected," a police rep tells the Chicago Tribune. Officer Michelle Tannehill said two juveniles are in custody and are considered suspects in the killing of 15-year-old Javon Wilson, who was shot in the head at his home in Chicago on Friday. Javon is the grandson of longtime US Rep. Danny Davis. Police earlier said the shooting stemmed from a dispute over basketball shoes. Javon knew his attackers and they may have been friends at some point. Davis said he was told that a 15-year-old boy had traded slacks for shoes with Javon's 14-year-old brother, but thought better of the trade and went to Javon's house with a 17-year-old girl. He said the pair forced their way in the house and argued with Javon before the boy pulled a gun and fired.

"It's almost, just the way it is. People think nothing of it," Davis said. "Youngsters invariably say, 'I know a lot of guys who've got guns. I know a lot of girls who've got guns.' It becomes a part of the culture of an environment that has got to change." Davis, who was re-elected this month to his 11th term in the 7th Congressional District, wondered how the shooter obtained the gun and said he'd continue to try to combat gun violence. Davis said his grandson was "a pretty regular kid" who loved playing basketball and knew all the pros and their stats, who also loved music and whose grades were improving after a rough patch. "The question becomes where does a 15-year-old obtain a gun? Who let the 15-year-old have a gun and under what circumstances?" Davis asked. "There's no answer for that except that the availability of guns is so prevalent in America to the point where you almost can't tell who has a gun" anymore. (More Chicago stories.)