Sale of New Air Jordans Catalyzes Violence Across U.S.

The Air Jordan 11 Gamma Blue sneakers, which sell for $185, went on sale to the public Saturday morning, and chaos and violence erupted across the nation at stores selling the shoes. At a Finish Line in Stockton, Calif., a fight broke out among customers, one of whom was shirtless, prompting police to arrive and find the participants had fled. At the Southwest Center Mall in Dallas, some people tried to cut in line at 6 a.m., and police were summoned. Later, NBC reported in a possibly related incident, “two rival groups of young men” had a shootout t at the food court in the mall. A Foot Locker store in the Bronx at 151^st street was the site of another fight. The situation has grown so intense that some stores have instituted a raffle system rather than sell the sneakers first-come, first-serve.