Teen Killed in Arizona Circle K By White Man Because He Was Listening To Rap

17-year-old Elijah Al-Amin was murdered by 27-year-old Michael Adams on the 4th of July, at a Circle K located at corner of 67th Ave and Peoria Ave in Peoria, AZ. The attack allegedly occurred when Adams heard the victim listening to rap music. Police said that Elijah was inside the store when Adams came up behind and stabbed him.

Once police saw Adams near the Circle K and noticed a knife and blood on him, he was reported to have told detectives “rap music made him feel unsafe because, in the past, he was attacked by people who listened to that music genre.”

The attack happened just two days after Adams was released from prison. Adams reportedly told detectives he “needed to be proactive than reactive and protect himself and the community from the victim." It has been reported that Adams has a history of mental illness. Adams’ attorney, Jacie Cotterell, says the Arizona Department of Corrections released him without medication or being taken to a facility for mental health services even though the knew he had problems.

The ADC said that Adams wasn’t labeled as serious risk for mental issues and “had no further legal authority over him.” Cotterell said that Adams shouldn’t go to prison but received treatment for his condition. Adams has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. He is still in custody.