Cops: Teen shot, killed while selling shoes; buyers claim self-defense

A Hampton teenager was shot and killed while trying to sell shoes in a Henry County subdivision, authorities said.

Jayden Parks, 18, died during a meet-up for the online shoe sale, which was initiated on Instagram, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Parks left his home Monday night to sell the shoes to a woman and a man in their early 20s, Hampton Police Chief Derrick Austin told the news station. About 10 p.m., shots rang out and the Forest Park buyers left the scene and called police.

Parks’ father Johnny said he heard the shots that killed his son.

"I could feel it in my stomach. I had my wife call my son,” he told Channel 2. “We couldn't make contact with him. I put my clothes on and began to look for him.”

Johnny Parks found Jayden in the back of an ambulance not far from their home.

The police chief told Channel 2 one of the buyers fired shots and that both have claimed self-defense. A warrant has been obtained to search their car.

“There were seven shell casings on the scene,” Austin said, “and there's possibly going to be some more shell casings inside the car.”

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