Crime

Ohio Teen Danny Crawford Murdered for Throwing Eggs, Say Police

By Ryan Smith

February 3, 2010 / 6:30 AM EST / CBS News

(AP Photo)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CBS/AP) It started out as an Ohio 14-year-old's egg-throwing prank, and ended with his murder, say police. And the man who retaliated with gunfire against teenager Danny Crawford has now been charged with killing him.

Photo: Danny Crawford.

According to police reports, witnesses say Crawford and two others were throwing eggs at passing cars when they hit a Jeep Cherokee shortly after midnight, Dec. 2, 2006, in Columbus, Oh. The driver then chased the trio, and a passenger opened fire. Crawford was hit and killed as he tried to run away.

22-year-old Michael Gross Jr. is being charged with murder and tampering with evidence in Crawford's slaying.

Police say the gunman, Gross, who's from Columbus, is in jail on unrelated charges.