Charging papers filed today at the arraignment of alleged gunman Omare Ishmael Cotton, aka "Spade," 28, indicate the suspect and victim got into several fights prior to the murder.

A witness cited in the documents points to Cotton as the instigator. The witness says Cotton was angry with Sutton for denying him and his girlfriend a ride in his car.

Not satisfied with fisticuffs, Cotton went after his victim's vehicle, the charging papers say. On May 7, the witness saw Cotton slash Sutton's tires on two separate occasions. Following the slashings, Cotton pursued Sutton with a knife. But when Sutton flagged down a police car, Cotton slipped away. Sutton didn't report the altercation to police.

The next day, court papers show, Sutton tried to change the tires Cotton had ruined. Cotton "appeared suddenly  in the block and approached the decedent and again began to assault the decedent," according to the documents. Cotton then threatened to kill Sutton, indicating that he was angry with the young intern for getting him in trouble with police, as Cotton was on probation.

Following that incident, three witnesses say, a man loosely fitting Cotton's description chased Sutton into a wooded area in the 200 block of Newcomb Street SE. A few minutes later, the man emerged from the area alone.

A day later, cops discovered Sutton's bullet-ridden body.

Multiple theories have emerged in the investigation of 18-year-old D.C. Council intern Alonte Sutton's murder.  Omare Ishmael Cotton, 28, was arrested Tuesday in connection to the killing. Cotton will be arraigned later today.

According to the AP, witnesses have reportedly floated the story that on Saturday, Sutton was changing the tires on his vehicle when Cotton approached him and asked the teen to give his girlfriend a ride somewhere. Sutton refused, and an argument ensued. Cotton is then said to have left the scene, only to return with a gun a while later. Confronted with the gun, Sutton took off toward a nearby wooded area with Cotton firing after him. Sutton's body then tumbled into a ravine and was discovered by cops a day later. That account implies that Sutton was killed merely because an exchange of words made temperatures run high.

But sources have told the Examiner another story. One that may imply a longstanding rivalry: "Law enforcement sources said Cotton lived in the neighborhood and had previous run-ins with Sutton. Sources familiar with the investigation said Cotton slashed the tires on Sutton's car and likely waited for him to come out to fix the tires."

According to the Examiner's sources, when, as planned, Sutton came out to fix his car, Cotton blasted him.

Yet another version of the story says that Cotton and Sutton argued Friday night, leading to the slashed tire scenario.

Could robbery be yet another motive? Cotton has a criminal record, and that record has to do with a 2002 robbery. Cotton was arrested by Prince George's County cops for a robbery that occurred in July of that year. Online Maryland court documents reveal that Cotton, then recorded as living in the 200 block of Oakwood Street SE, was found guilty of robbery with a dangerous weapon. Cotton had also been charged with possession of a handgun, though he wasn't convicted of that charge.

Also of note is the fact that the address Cotton resided at in 2002 is maybe a block away from where Sutton was killed.

While walking past a convenience store last  week, I noticed a sign that borderline panicked: “Get your vanilla cigarettes before they are banned!” The sign nearly inspired my non-smoking self into stockpiling like it was 1999, but it appears I am too late. The FDA has banned the sale of flavored tobacco, three months after President Barack Obama agreed to let the FDA regulate tobacco products. What’s so wrong with having a little “Warm Winter Toffee” with your lung cancer? According to the New York Times, 17-year-olds are three times more likely than those over 25 to smoke the flavored cigarettes.

There’s been a mysterious spike in shoplifting around Dupont Circle. One clerk told WJLA: “The kids have gotten out of control…don’t they have supervision?”

There was also some young and restless vigilante justice on U Street recently when three 20-somethings chased down a would-be mugger and tackled him in front of Nellie’s Sports Bar. A witness told the blog Borderstan: “I would not want to be that mugger when word gets around that he was turned into a bitch in front of cheering queens.” Smart? No. Awesome entertainment for U Street's tipsy hipsters (tongue twister...)? Undoubtedly.

There were three homicides in the District last weekend, in SW, SE and NE. All three victims were under the age of 20.

Arguably over-played Brooklyn Indie gods MGMT played a free concert on Sunday at KIA Warehouse – to get tickets, you had to test drive a KIA Soul. Eyewitness reports indicate people were lined up for hours to do just that, which doesn't explain all the teeny boppers in the audience...

The New York Times helpfully offers “5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private!) on Facebook." My personal favorite: “Keep your profile to friends only.” Great in theory, but how am I supposed to stalk other people? Should be replaced with: “Never, ever become friends with your parents.”