Teen charged in fatal Ohio mall shooting, robbery attempt

CINCINNATI - A 16-year-old boy accused of trying to steal Nike sneakers from a mall shopper who fatally shot another teen who was with him was charged Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter and robbery.

Montgomery County prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said his office approved the charges in the case stemming from a Dec. 20 fatal shooting outside the Dayton Mall, about an hour's drive north of Cincinnati.

The boy's attorney, Patrick Mulligan, said, "He is innocent of the charges, and we will proceed to whatever the appropriate hearings are in order to show that."

The Associated Press is not naming the boy because he is a juvenile.

Miami Township police say three boys accosted two shoppers who were leaving the mall after buying a new version of popular Air Jordan shoes on sale that day. Authorities say the 16-year-old who was killed - Jawaad Jabbar, of Middletown - showed a gun and was shot by a shopper who had a concealed weapon permit.

The shopper was cleared of felony criminal charges in the case. Heck said the man acted in self-defense.

The 16-year-old charged Wednesday and a 17-year-old boy were held in juvenile detention after the shooting on charges including murder. Under Ohio law, a suspect can be held responsible for any death - including that of an accomplice - that occurs during the commission of a robbery, Heck has said.

The 17-year-old teen has been cleared and released.

Heck's statement Wednesday said the investigation showed that the 16-year-old suspect participated in the attempted robbery. The prosecutor's office is seeking to have the teen tried as an adult.

The boy is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday in Montgomery County Juvenile Court in Dayton.