A father in Raleigh, North Carolina, is mourning the devastating loss of his 15-year-old son following a tragic shooting inside their home.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Cayden Alston-Arnold was shot and killed on Friday in what authorities believe was a dispute that turned deadly.
According to reports, the teenager was allegedly shot by another teen who had pretended to be his friend. The confrontation reportedly involved a pair of jeans.
North Carolina Teen Killed in Alleged Dispute Inside Family Home
Cayden's father, CJ Alston, said his son had been trying to sell the jeans when two boys came to the house.
He explained that he had previously told Cayden not to have anyone over, as he was on punishment.
Despite that, the two teens reportedly showed up unannounced and posed as friends.
Alston said the situation escalated when the boys refused to pay for the jeans. When Cayden declined to hand them over, one of them allegedly pulled out a gun and shot him.
"My sister called me and told that Cayden had been shot. She was like, she thinks he's OK because he told her, 'Auntie, I'm going to be good, I'm good,'" Alston told WRAL News.
"From that blood that I've seen everywhere, he was running round the house trying to clean up the blood, like, he panicked. It just hurts. I just can't believe it. I wish I would've been there to help him."
Father Speaks out as Suspect Taken Into Custody
Cayden was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
In the aftermath, Alston has spoken out about the dangers of gun violence among young people.
"I just want to let the youth know, leave the guns alone," he said.
Police confirmed that a juvenile suspect has been taken into custody, though their identity has not been released due to their age.
Alston also said he later noticed suspicious behavior from the boys outside the home after reviewing footage from the family's Ring doorbell camera.
"He liked to play with his cousins and his friend. He was a good kid," Alston added. "I just want this younger generation to understand, guns aren't it. Criminal guns aren't it. Taking somebody's life for something senseless isn't it."
He said Cayden loved basketball and dreamed of one day becoming an NBA star, adding that his son will be deeply missed.
