Tyreke Evans is used to seeing his name in the headlines.

That's what happens when you're one of the top high school basketball players in the nation. And make no mistake, the American Christian star is all of that.

That's why coaches from major colleges are knocking on his door, attending his games, and lusting to have his awesome talents as part of their basketball programs.

Evans was back in the headlines this week. But I'm thinking it's not something the hoops star especially wanted.

That's becase Evans is in the middle of a homicide investigation. He was the driver of a car from which a shot was fired, killing a teenager in Chester Township.

Evans has not been charged in the case. He is cooperating with authorities. His cousin, who was in the passenger seat of Tyreke's car, has been charged. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Marcus Reason.

What exactly happened when Tyreke and his pals left his aunt's house on Rainer Road and climbed into his SUV is not clear. One witness says a shot was fired at Tyreke's car. Another indicates only that shots were fired, with who shot first and who was shooting at whom not especially clear.

What is clear, at least to police, is this. This incident is rooted in bad blood, a turf war between two groups of young people, one from Chester Township, the other from Chester.

Now Tyreke finds himself in the middle of it. Family members, including his older brothers, have come to his defense, saying he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they have fears for his safety.

Security was beefed up for American Christian's appearance last night at the Pete Nelson Classic holiday hoops tournament at Widener.

It's ironic that Evans' family would indicate he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's not the first time I've heard that claim in connection with this story.

After we first published the details of Reason's murder, with police indicating their belief it was rooted in gang violence, I received several passionate calls from family members who insisted Reason was not connected to any gang activity, and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now Tyreke Evans, who is very used to being in the spotlight, finds himself in a light I am sure he no doubt would rather do without.

What happened on that street is now up to the cops and courts to decide.

I can feel for both sides in this story. I know how they feel. I often find myself "caught in the middle" between people who have clearly different visions of how stories should play out.

What I know is this. Marcus Reason is dead. Jamar Evans has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly firing the fatal shot. Tyreke Evans was driving the car in which Jamar was sitting.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure of one other thing. It is not the last time we've heard of turf wars, bad blood, young people, and guns.

Those are the headlines I wish I didn't have to write.