Fight over video game ends in death

Jahmir Ricks, a 13-year-old "level-headed" boy from Lansdowne, used to get pushed around when he'd play basketball with the neighborhood kids, according to the father of one of his playmates. But on Sunday afternoon, something pushed Jahmir Ricks over the edge.

A fight that began between Ricks and his 16-year-old brother, Antwan, over a video-game controller, allegedly ended when Jahmir Ricks stabbed Antwan to death with a 6-inch steak knife at their home on North Maple Avenue near Essex Avenue.

The incident left Christine Ricks, the boys' mother, planning funeral arrangements for one son yesterday while the other awaited his fate at the Delaware County Prison.

"Now she's lost two sons," neighbor Robert Anderson lamented.

Anderson said his boys played ball with Jahmir Ricks, who he classified as the "least aggressive" of the neighborhood kids.

Lansdowne Police Chief Daniel Kortan Jr. said he's received word, though it's not been confirmed, that the brothers had an agreement to hand over the video-game controller whenever one would lose.

"Those were the rules of playing the game, as far as they were concerned," he said.

When Antwan Ricks refused to hand over the controller to his brother after losing, a fight ensued.

"The dispute . . . escalated into a physical confrontation that extended beyond the fight," Kortan said.

It's not clear who called 911, but when police arrived on the scene about 1 p.m. they were met by Jahmir Ricks who openly told them "I just stabbed my brother," according to court documents.

Christine Ricks allegedly confirmed that statement to police as she exited the house saying, "He [Jahmir] just stabbed his brother."

Antwan Ricks' lifeless body was already being transported to the hospital by his mother's boyfriend, police said. He died 20 minutes after arrival of a single stab wound to the chest.

"It's a tragic situation," Kortan said. "What more can you say about it?"

Yesterday, about two dozen of the Ricks' family and friends gathered on the front porch of the family's home but declined comment. Jahmir Ricks was charged as an adult with murder and related offenses. His preliminary hearing has been set for Thursday. *