Arizona police say a man stabbed and killed a 17-year-old at a Circle K on the 4th of July, because he was listening to rap music.
According to Fox 10, 27-year-old Michael Adams walked into the store and slit Elijah Al-Amin’s throat. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Adams was arrested not far from the scene.
Adams reportedly told officers that the victim was listening to rap music and “that type of music makes him feel unsafe because he’s been attacked in the past by people who listen to rap music.”
He claimed he was trying to prevent a future attack involving the victim and admits the two never spoke.
Adams attorney told the station that he suffers from mental illness and had been previously released from jail without medication. He said his client should be admitted to the hospital for treatment.
“He was a good kid,” Al-Amin’s father told KVOA in a tearful interview. “He wanted to be hotel management, he wanted to move to Seattle, he wanted to move different places.”
Al-Amin would have turned 18 in two weeks.
The suspect is currently back in jail with a bond set at $1 million. Meanwhile, a candle and balloons were laid outside of the scene of the crime.
