Photo: undated, courtesy of James King
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A 17-year-old boy is facing a murder charge in the shooting death of East Kentwood High School senior James King.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker confirms charges have been filed against Ahmed Hasan. The East Kentwood High School junior is expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon on an open murder charge and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Hasan was taken into custody after the shooting, which happened just after 5 p.m. Sunday. He was accused of obstructing police and robbery, but was not charged at that time.
King’s cousin said he and King were trying to sell marijuana in the parking lot of the Towne & Country Shopping Center at Kalamazoo Avenue and 44th Street when one of their customers tried to rob them.
When King realized what was happening, he tried to get out of the back seat of the suspect’s car where the sale was taking place, but was shot in the head, his cousin said.
The cousin said he held King in the parking lot, waiting for rescuers. King died at the scene.
King’s mother said he planned to go to Grand Rapids Community College and become an architect.