Top News Stories Today: Arizona Man Slits Throat Of 17-Year-Old Over Rap Music
Police in Peoria, Arizona, are investigating the murder of 17-year-old Elijah Alamin after his throat was slit by a man who was just released from prison. It’s understood the victim was inside a Circle K store Thursday just before 2 a.m. when 27-year-old Michael Adams came up behind him and slit his throat allegedly over rap music. His body was found outside the store, lying face down by the fuel pumps, according to KPHO.
Court documents state Adams stabbed Elijah on the right side of his neck, then took off. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. When Adams was captured, he told investigators that he heard Elijah was listening to “rap music in this parking lot.” He also yelled at the detectives telling them that “rap music made him feel unsafe because in the past, he was attacked by people who listened to that music genre,” according to court documents. He also told investigators that he “needed to be proactive than reactive and protect himself and the community from the victim.”
Adams’ attorney told a judge during a court appearance that Adams has a history of mental illness but that the Arizona Department of Corrections released him with no medication and without a ride to get to a mental health facility. Cotterell believes that Adams should be treated for his illness, rather than sentenced to prison.
“They released him to the streets with no holdover meds, no way to care for himself,” Jacie Cotterell said.
Elijah’s friends said he loved listening to rap music and that it gave him a sense of purpose. His high school released a statement about his death:
“We were saddened to hear the heartbreaking news about Elijah. On behalf of the district and Apollo High School, we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
Adams’ bond has been set at $1 million.
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