“It Just Hurts”: Raleigh Father Grieves Son Killed in Dispute Over Jeans

A Raleigh family is struggling to cope with the devastating loss of 15-year-old Cayden Alston, who was fatally shot inside his home late Friday morning. Police were called to Springshire Court near Sunnybrook Road at approximately 11:50 a.m. on March 20, where they found the teenager suffering from a critical gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.

According to his father, Courtney “CJ” Alston, the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving a pair of jeans Cayden had been trying to sell to two boys who visited the house. Alston said he had warned his son the night before not to allow visitors. When the boys allegedly refused to pay and Cayden refused to hand over the jeans, one of them reportedly opened fire.

Security footage from a doorbell camera showed the boys behaving suspiciously, including walking to the back of the house and asking which window belonged to Cayden. Inside, Alston said he found signs that his son had tried to move through the home after being shot. He described Cayden as his only child, a joyful teenager who loved spending time with family and dreamed of playing basketball.

Doctors attempted lifesaving surgery, but his heart could not be restarted. A juvenile petition has been filed against the suspect, whose identity has not been released due to age.