Photo Courtesy Of Yaseen Johnson family
Minnesota teenager, Yaseen Johnson, was fatally shot over an expensive pair of Balenciaga sneakers in Plymouth, and the alleged gunman was charged with murder.
According to KARE 11, Yaseen was shot and killed inside an SUV after an alleged exchange involving the pricey sneakers went left on Nov. 14. Hennepin County court documents indicated that it all began when he and his friend waited to purchase the Balenciagas outside an apartment complex on the 9700 block of 37th Place North.
The criminal complaint said the suspect, identified as Augustus Sirleaf, gave the 17-year-old one of the shoes to look at before the victim agreed to purchase the entire pair. Yaseen initially gave Augustus half of the money, but then he handed over the remainder of the payment. However, the suspect demanded that he give the shoe back, and when the teen refused, Augustus allegedly pulled a weapon out and shot him. The alleged criminal teenager exited the SUV on foot and ran for his life.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined that Yaseen suffered one gunshot wound to the chest and two gunshot wounds to the head. Court documents additionally revealed that officers found two .40 caliber discharged cartridge casings at the scene–specifically on the outside of the driver’s side door and another outside the passenger door.
Prosecutors said authorities got a hold of Augustus, and he’s currently in custody at the Hennepin County Jail. Another suspect, allegedly with him during the exchange, was also arrested while police has been searching for the third.
The 19-year-old has been charged with one count of second-degree murder with intent and one count of second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony. If convicted, he could face up to 80 years–40 years for each charge–in prison.
Yaseen was reportedly a student at Rogers High School in the Elk River School District 728 of Rogers, Minnesota.