Life is a fight for resources. The “fight” doesn’t have to be violent, but sometimes it is. Especially when a resource is scarce and particularly prized. In this case, we’re not talking about food, water, clothing or shelter. Oh wait. We are. According to Dayton’s whio.com, an illegally armed robber attempted to relieve a legally armed American of the latest edition of Air Jordan basketball shoes – and paid with his life. Now I know what you’re thinking . . .

Shoes? A fight to the death over shoes? Yes. Shoes.

“All the subjects involved in this were there for an athletic shoe release,” Miami Twp. Police Sgt. Jay Phares told reporters. “The [now deceased] juvenile wasn’t able to get in line in time to get these shoes that were being sold and decided to try to take them from somebody who did get some shoes, with force with a firearm.”  . . .

The shooter and another adult male came out of the mall and were approached by three male juveniles, including Jawaad.

“When he was threatened with the firearm, he drew his firearm and discharged it into the juvenile,” Phares said. “What’s tragic is that somebody lost their life over tennis shoes.”

Not tennis shoes. Basketball shoes. Air Jordan basketball shoes. The latest Air Jordan basketball shoes. Shoes that would have earned 16-year-old Jawaad Jabbar props amongst his peers. Raising his social status. Giving him access to more resources of one sort or another.

I’m not saying it’s right that Jabbar thought it acceptable to steal what he couldn’t obtain legally – no matter what he was trying to steal. It’s not. But I am saying that it’s right to defend yourself against people attempting to “better themselves” through illegal violence (as opposed to, say, NFL-sanctioned violence).

More than that, it’s the way of the world. Either you’re prepared for it or you’re not. That is all.

[h/t Adfbfda Dfabfdab]

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83 COMMENTS

  1. I’d say the kid didn’t die over shoes, he died because he threatened the life of someone who was able to defend themselves.

    • I was about to post the same thing. The attempted armed robbery was over shoes. The fight to the death was over the attempted armed robbery.

    • I think I’ve identified the problem here. This is the message from the principal of the high school Dead Kid attended:

      “Know that my prayers are with you all as we grieve. Middies are Family.

      Our young people are growing up in difficult, precarious times. As a staff we will let Jawaad inspire us to reach more students. Together, we will work to provide greater value for life and strong resilience in our young people. As a family, we will remember Jawaad not in the context of senseless violence but for all the beautiful and wonderful gifts he brought to our lives.”

      In case you’re interested in dialoguing with this pedadgogical genius, her phone number is:

      (513) 423-0781

      Perhaps you could have a discussion about how NFL players get the idea that they’re special and above the law…

  5. That’s why I like Keens. Only outdoorsy types and hippies wear them. The former group is generally too moral to steal, and the latter group is generally too inept.

  6. Part of me is saddened by this senseless death of a young man.

    Another part of me sees this as simply removing a bit of scum from the bottom of the gene pool, and rejoices in the fact that the streets of Dayton are now just a little safer, and this came at minimal expense to taxpayers.

    • I’m voting for ‘another part of me’.

      Over on the left, they are screaming about killing someone for a pair of shoes. I wonder if they understand the irony of their lament.

      • I know that some of those folks will ask the question “why did he shoot him? They’re only shoes.” As usual, it’s the wrong question to ask. The question that should be asked is “why does some punk kid think it’s acceptable to threaten someone’s life over a pair of shoes?”

        And why should anyone assume that someone else who points a gun at a person is not willing to use it?

        • Your first questions answer would be obviously-Racism is the cause, and not a lack of the thugs moral upbringing that can be learned even in single parent house holds, but its chosen not to be valued.
          Second question-The evil guns fault not the armed robbing thug.

    • Same here. I kinda (Kinda) feel bad that this kid got himself killed over shoes. But then again, if he’s willing to steal sneakers at gun point, was there ever really a chance that he’d turn his life around and become a functional member of society, or would he end up murdering some poor shmuck for a hoodie next time?

  7. Also, the perp may have shot the vic anyway, even if the vic did hand over the shoes (and perhaps other items).

    • Never compromise with an evil man and allow yourself to be at their whim, it won’t work well most of the time. Scenario: A man has a loved one at knife point and you have them at gun point. You fire into the bad guys head at the first clear shot while talking to them, since he is going to kill everyone when you surrender your gun. Liberals say get raped instead of protecting yourself. We POTG know what our firepower is capable of since carrying a gun to we citizens comes with responsibility not prison time like for crooks. Most street criminals only know how to pull the trigger and load a magazine with a bandanna, whereas POTG know how to tactical reload after obliterating the ten ring or T-zone and clear jammed guns in stressful situations. Helpful hint in this situation and a saying to live or die by is Comply for a Clear shot since drawing on a drawn gun is a fast and furious coin flip, and your preparation helps tilt the odds in your favor. Throw your wallet or keys as a distraction for the chance at determining your own fate for however long personally, you know it takes you to clear leather and send lead on target.
      If they get too close you can always grab the gun if the criminal is not that committed to murdering an innocent stranger for possessions.

    • In Ohio the “No Guns” sign has little value. All that can be done is for the management is to ask you to leave and if you don’t, then they can call the Police. I have carried in the Dayton Mall numerous time.

        • There used to be Salem Mall in the northwest part of Dayton. Over time it became more and more problematic with violence. Most of Dayton’s west side is black and has been for sometime. So the Salem Mall became mostly black and crime was a problem. It was the closest mall for me to go. What finally stopped me in the late 1980s were two things. One I was jumped putting Xmas gifts in my car. I fought back and beat the crap out of the guy. The second was a news story where an Air Force officer was sitting at a bench waiting for his family. A black kid walked up to him and smashed his face with one punch breaking his eye socket. It destroyed his career as a pilot. I never went back nor did a lot of other people. The mall is gone and torn down. All the surrounding strip malls are 90% empty. So the black population hops on I-75 and goes south to the Dayton Mall. I hardly go there anymore. Most people go to Fairfield Commons or The Greene. Fairfield Commons is beside Wright Patt AFB. This is where the black person was shot in a Walmart by Beavercreek PD. There was a protest being held at that Walmart when this crime occurred at the Dayton Mall. Dayton basically sucks. It is a Demonoidic bastion due to the west side of Dayton.

      • In Ohio the “No Guns” sign has little value.

        That’s true, if the sign isn’t statutorily compliant. A “no smoking” no guns sign is powerless. But a statutorily compliant sign bears the force of law, and violating it will get you a criminal (not civil) trespass charge.

  9. Not long ago, Grievance Mongers blamed Nike for the deaths of thieves and their victims. They said set the price too high.
    But if they set the price for “Payless Shoes” they would not sell as many.

  10. It’s senseless for anyone to lose their life over most things people lose their lives over everyday.

    Shoes, money, jewelry, drugs, property, land, oil, natural resources, religion, on and on…

    But, that’s the world we live in, and the weak will be exploited, like it or not. Best to not be the weak.

  12. What does the average mugging net? Seems like these shoes are worth more than the contents of most wallets.

  13. The dead youth was a good boy, kind to his mother and small animals, and was just turning his life around. He was going to attend Harvard and cure cancer or something.

    In fact, he needed those shoes because he was walking all the way to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital where he was donating a kidney to a poor child who had none. He was a gentle giant. Or mighty midget. We’re not sure which.

    The light has gone out of our lives. And my refrigerator. I think I’ll go steal a small light bulb at gunpoint.

  14. All right, nobody else has said it yet, so I might as well.

    Jawaad? Not that I have so much room to talk, as my given name (which–surprise–is not Ing) is a bit on the boutique side of things — but who in the name of Lord Farquaad gives a name like that to a kid? I think he was probably doomed from the beginning.

  15. Unfortunately, these incidents happen EVERY TIME, made in China for $16, sold for $200 retail, resold for $350-500 online, new Jordans are released or re-released.
    A lot of videos on the Youtubes.

  16. Some folks are just too stupid to live. Do any of us believe that if Jawhatzit had gotten in line in time he would have bought those shoes? He went to the mall armed and ready to rob honest folks.

    Thankfully he picked the right honest folk to rob.

  17. I couldnt help but think that his last name is a mix of Jabba and Jaffar. Somebody lost their life over being a dirtbag, not shoes, but I think were probably the only ones who will make that connection.

    But the “logic” on the proggie farm will march on anyway…

  20. Off topic and non-PC, but the whole shoe-worship thing in Diverse Communities is fascinating. It’s not a casual matter.

    • It’s more fascinating to me to see how people tip toe around casual racism with new words and phrases.

      • Grindstone-it is not fascinating to me since honesty makes the man, and if a man can’t be honest with himself he ain’t much of a man. It is not right for white folks have to be ashamed to say they are proud to be white or cower to the double speak of black racist organizations like the NAACP or Black Congress Caucus. Nor is it wrong for a white man to speak facts about the failings of minority communities, since majority white communities seem to prosper more and always foot the bill. Some always scream racism but they need to realize that we are done being blamed and forced to piss away our children’s future for hope that minorities will stop hating us Whites. When for the last couple of months national news has been nothing but scape-goading for minority communities and continually blaming white folks for their violent behaviors. Where some of these minority communities are rivaling the violence of third world countries and like Chicago’s westside beating them in body count.

        • At least you have the decency to be blunt with your racism, despite your torture of “logic” to justify it.

    • Gordon-be honest with yourself and don’t be afraid to say that black communities tend to be violent and based on materialism, instead of based on morality. Being an honest white man does not end when discussing matters of other races failings, and is by far better than being a politically correct coward hiding behind thinly veiled racial references.
      The freedom of association means I have no black friends, don’t associate with blacks, and generally have no use for them, except knowing that in my area if I am robbed it will be at the hands of a young black male or drunken Indian.
      I have learned that for the most part black cultural values are nothing that impress me and have chosen to avoid undesirable people like I do stupid places. If a black person says the n-word in front of me I tell them not to use that language in my presence and to have some fckn self respect.
      I have met some Nazi types and as proud patriotic American and humble vengeful Christian, it never works out very well for those hate filled knuckle draggers. All men are not created equal as we are finding out, and all men shouldn’t have to pay for uneven equality.

  22. So the question does arise, if the non-victim had been OC’ing a gun, would the “Youth” have attempted the “liberation” of said shoes?

    I do read much more often of CC people being mugged than OC people. After all, the whole point of CC is that no one knows you’re carrying a weapon; even, or especially the human predator.

    Although that could be because the OC person is a very small percentage of an already very small population; (which is even more incomprehensible.)

    I haven’t read of a statistical analysis done on this question. If any one has heard of such a study, please share.

    • Perhaps Al was busy shopping for Nikes? And if that kid knew how to Mau Mau like Al, he might be alive today. The NYT reports Al owes more than 4 mil in taxes, but still can afford first class flights and Guccis, not to mention Nikes. It isn’t the kid that was confused. It’s ‘us.’

  25. I think it’s time to do something about the scarcity of Jordans, which is obviously to blame for this senseless tragedy. If the government were to provide new Jordans whenever there is a new version of the shoe, this wouldn’t have to happen. They could be delivered to eligible recipients at home, saving lives and public resources.

    • EBT cards have been used for booze, ATM withdrawals in pot shops and casinos, porn shops, Disney World, strip clubs, lottery tickets and cigarettes. Why not over price prize basket ball shoes?

  26. I hope TM is right about the “No Guns” signs being little value.

    Because, I think I missed something…. From the jest of the report and from an article in the local paper, plus what the police said about who is gonna to be charged with what. I fear that the legally armed victim may be in danger of being charged. That would be the real injustice here, and I hope that I am wrong.

  27. Well at least he didn’t die over swisher sweets…but really why is the story about the poor teen who just wanted his fair share and lost his life in a tragic use of “guns”? What happened to “crime doesn’t pay”? Oh I know, because if the cops caught him some judge would let him out to steal more of his fair share.

  28. The local liberal media is not even mentioning that the perp threatened the defensive gun owner with a firearm.

    • At least they mentioned his underage criminal conspirators were released to their parent or grandma instead of being charged with Ohio’s felony murder law for their dead thug buddy.

  29. After working security at a mall, having to deal with Shoe events, and the punks who attend (just about every…friggen…Saterday!!!), I care not whether any of these people live or die. Because of past experience, I instantly hate anyone who has Air Jordons, Lebrons, whatever. If you’re one of those people: Sorry. Stay the hell away from me.

  30. Juveniles….with guns! I know,….it’s the gun show loophole, right? That must be how these juveniles got their hands on guns they weren’t allowed to have in the first place.

  32. The real tragedy is air jordans?

    I mean the only time i care about my shoes is running/hiking and that’s because of my gait and the additional support needed
    I’ve never seen an air jordan do anything that makes them worthy of the price. Putting them on doesn’t suddenly Make anyone play like Jordan .

    Otherwise an excellent DGU.

  33. Y’know, I cannot help but smile as I envision the little sh¡tholes’ smugness turned to terror at the realization that they’d made a poor choice of victims.

    Chalk one up for the good guys.

  34. As soon as the would-be thief drew his piece and pointed it at his would-be victim he crossed a line. Once that particular line is crossed your life is forfeit.

    It was a gamble with his own life… for a pair of shoes.

    He lost.

    Tragic as it was… that was the result.

    • The moral of the story is to be armed for self defense. I suspect that the punk originally intended to rob the store only to find out the store was sold out.

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