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Third teen arrested in relation to shooting death of James King

The four individuals who have been charged are facing life in prison.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Three more teenagers face felony charges in the Jan. 13 death of 17-year-old James King, who was killed in a parking lot during what police say was a marijuana deal set up on social media.

King, a senior at East Kentwood High School, was gunned down in the Towne & Country Shopping Center parking lot just before 5 p.m. King and his cousin had walked to the shopping center from King's house, just a few blocks away. 

Ahmed Hasan, a junior at East Kentwood High, was the first to be arrested in connection to the murder. He was formally charged Wednesday. 

He and three co-defendants, identified as Kayleb Douglas Sims, 17, Alanah Faith Claflin, 18 and Israel Valdez, 17, are being charged with open murder, assault with intent to rob while armed and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. 

Hasan was originally charged with armed robbery, but Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said that charge has been amended to assault with intent to rob.

Police said that Claflin tried to destroy evidence after the shooting occurred. She was arraigned on Friday afternoon.  

Valdez, the accused gunman, was arraigned on Saturday morning on multiple charges including open murder.

Read more: 'Dead at 17,' Grand Rapids mother wants answers after incomprehensible shooting

Court documents indicate that Valdez and Claflin set-up a marijuana deal with King on social media, and "the intent of the group was to commit a robbery of marijuana from King." 

Hasan told police he drove Claflin, Valdez and Sims to the shopping center in his Dodge Magnum. According to court documents, Hasan said the three of them knew Valdez had a handgun with him in the car. Before the group got to the meet-up location, Hasan said he got out of the car and Sims took over as the driver. 

King's cousin said Hasan got out of the car to make room for King in the back seat. They stood together just outside the car, before King's cousin said he realized something was wrong. 

Court documents filed on Friday said Valdez tried stealing the marijuana from King. The two began fighting before Valdez allegedly shot King once in the face, killing him. 

After King was shot, he was pushed out of the car. Police said the suspects then fled the area.

The four individuals face up to life in prison if convicted.

Credit: Kent County Sheriff's Office
Israel Valdez, Kayleb Sims (photo from 2016), Ahmed Hasan, Alanah Claflin

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