Such is the extremely cautious world these days of Tyreke Evans.
The 6-foot-6 basketball phenomenon faces what Chester Township authorities call the possibility of gang retaliation after a fatal shooting in Brookhaven.
Evans was at the scene of a homicide that involved his cousin Jamar "Mar Mar" Evans on Nov. 25. Jamar Evans, 16, is charged with first-and third-degree murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Marcus Reason, and turned himself in to Chester Township authorities Saturday.
Chester Township Capt. Kenneth J. Coalson said investigators had no doubt that Reason's death was gang-related. The Evans family has reason to be fearful, he said, speaking from police contact with gang members in the Toby Farms neighborhood.
"They're pretty bold," Coalson said. "One guy in particular . . . wouldn't hesitate to shoot up someone in revenge."
Tyreke Evans, 18, is cooperating with authorities in the case.
"Is there some type of concern for Tyreke's safety in the corner of my mind? Of course; that's human nature," said Reggie Evans, Tyreke's older brother and legal guardian. "People perceive [his being at the scene] one way. They will think that he had some type of involvement. But he didn't do anything wrong."
Because he is cooperating with the police, others may feel that he "snitched" on his cousin, something that Reggie Evans denied. Under order from his lawyer, Brian McMonagle, Tyreke Evans had no comment.
"Who is he snitching on? Nobody," Reggie Evans said. "He didn't see anybody do nothing. He didn't see anybody shoot the gun. He didn't see that kid get laid out."
Plenty of protection
But the Evans family, Widener officials and organizers of last night's fourth annual Pete Nelson Classic at the university in Chester City didn't take any chances. They provided Evans with protection that enabled him to focus on basketball.
