Gun violence has been a regular conversation in politics and on cable news around the world. Celebrities especially in the USA have had a larger share of this. Just recently, an upcoming Los Angeles rapper, Pop Smoke, was shot in his home, just like Nipsey Hussle. ANTHONY ADA ADA ABRAHAM writes on celebrities who died or were affected by gun violence.
Rapper Pop Smoke
He’s the latest victim of gun violence as the conversation continues. The upcoming Los Angeles rapper Pop Smoke was shot dead in an apparent home invasion at around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 according toTMZ. The LAPD said two men wearing ski masks and hoodies broke into a Hollywood Hills home and opened fire before fleeing on foot. The home is an Airbnb rental owned by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave and her husband Edwin Arroyave, Fox5 reported. Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, gained notoriety after he released a mixtape in mid-2019 with a song, “Welcome to the Party,” that was later made into two remixes featuring Nicki Minaj and Skepta. The 20-year-old was featured on American rapper Lil Tjay’s single “War” and collaborated with rapper Travis Scott in late 2019 on the song “Gatti.” It’s unclear if Pop Smoke knew the shooters, who remain on the run.
XXXTentacion
The moment rapper XXXTentacion was shot dead at the wheel of his BMW has been shown to the trial of four men charged with his murder. The 20-year-old, born Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, had been visiting Riva’s MotorSports in Pompano Beach, Florida, when he was robbed and shot dead in broad daylight.
Nipsey Hussle
Ermias Joseph Asghedom known professionally as Nipsey Hussle (often stylized as Nipsey Hu$$le), was an American rapper, activist, and entrepreneur. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his first mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, which led to him being signed to Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records. Also known for his entrepreneurship, Hussle inaugurated the Marathon Clothing store, which he founded along with partners Carless, the head of the agency, Karen Civil and his brother Samiel Asghedom in 2017, and started a co-working environment which he named “Vector 90”. On March 31, 2019, Hussle was fatally shot outside his store Marathon Clothing in South Los Angeles. Eric Holder, a 29-year-old man who had confronted Hussle earlier in the day, was arrested and charged with murder on April 2, 2019.
Lucky Dube:
Lucky Philip Dube was a South African reggae musician and Rastafarian. He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans in a 25-year period and was South Africa’s biggest-selling reggae artiste. Dube was murdered in cold blood in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on the evening of October 18, 2007 . He was murdered shortly after dropping two of his children in Johannesburg, suburb of Rosettenville. Dube was driving his Chrysler 300C, which the assailants were after.
2Pac
2Pac is considered by many as one of the most significant rappers of all time. Much of Shakur’s work has been noted for addressing contemporary social issues that plagued inner cities, and he is considered a symbol of resistance and activism against inequality. On September 7, 1996, Shakur and his entourage were heading out to a club after a boxing match at the MGM Grand. While they were at a stop light, a white, four-door, late-model Cadillac with unknown occupants pulled up to the right side of Shakur’s sedan. Someone inside rapidly fired gunshots at Shakur. He was hit four times, twice in the chest, once in the arm, and once in the thigh. One of the bullets went into Shakur’s right lung. Knight was hit in the head by fragmentation. The shooters were believed to be associated with the notorious Crips gang. He suffered several wounds and died six days later due to internal bleeding.
B.I.G
Six months after PAC’s death, Notorious B.I.G. was a victim of a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. Heading home after the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards, he was shot multiple times at a red light. Many still believe the attacks were linked and the result of the intense West Coast-East Coast rivalry.
NFL player’s brother Calvin
In 2012, the NFL player’s brother Calvin was shot in the head following a dispute over money. He managed to survive after many intensive surgeries and a long recovery. The assailant, Lonnie Miller, was charged with second-degree attempted murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The Dallas Cowboy said, “God saved two lives from one shooting”, referring to his renewed purpose to keep playing after Calvin survived and told him to “stay focused.”
Trinity Gay
In October of 2016, Trinity Gay, the 15-year-old daughter of Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay, was fatally shot in the neck at Cook Out restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. Police arrested a man in connection with the shooting. Trinity is reported to have been an innocent bystander caught in crossfire
Rudy and Josh Johnson
In July 2016, the reality star faced an unspeakable tragedy when two of her brothers, Rudy and Josh Johnson, were shot and killed in New Orleans’s 7th Ward. While the details are scarce, reports say one of the two had a baby on the way. Toya and her daughter Reginae Carter shared their grief on social media, seeming to be in complete shock.
50 Cent
50 Cent’s most often-repeated anecdote is the one about him being shot nine times in front of his grandmother’s house in Queens in 2000. The rapper took five months to recover from the shooting. His alleged shooter, Darryl Baum, was killed three weeks after the attack. Fif used this bit of urban mythology to launch his music career.
Robert Montanez
In 2005, Akon’s road manager, Robert Montanez, was fatally shot outside a bar in New Jersey. Apparently, Montanez was trying to prevent the shooter from robbing the rapper Capone. In 2012, Almalik Ward was charged with Montanez’s murder.
Cosby’s son, Ennis
On January 16, 1997, Bill Cosby’s son, Ennis Cosby, was shot and killed along a California interstate. At 1 a.m., he pulled over to change a flat tire and was approached by 19-year-old Mikhail Markhasev, who was attempting to rob him. However, he was shot after taking too long to hand over the money. Markhasev was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Nash’s 17-year-old brother, Michael Ensley
In 1993, Nash’s 17-year-old brother, Michael Ensley, was shot at his high school in California. The shooter, Robert Lee Heard, was 15 at the time and was committed to a juvenile facility until 2002. In 2012, Heard made headlines again when he killed his wife of two months by repeatedly stabbing her. Niecy spoke out on his recent charges: “I am deeply saddened to hear that the man who murdered my brother, Michael Ensley, has been charged with murder again. I grieve for every family who has been victimized by this heinous individual.
Rafael Jose Vergara
In 1996, her 26-year-old brother, Rafael Jose Vergara, was gunned down in Barranquilla, Columbia. There was speculation that a Colombian crime boss was behind the shooting, however, no justice was served. Vergara spoke out on the tragic loss, “We come from a successful family, and he knew he was a target for kidnapping, he always had bodyguards. Then one day he went out alone and was shot dead. I was devastated.”
Ice Cube’s half-sister Beverly Jean Brown
When he was just 12 years old, Ice Cube’s half-sister, Beverly Jean Brown, was murdered by her husband. She was shot dead in her house during a botched murder-suicide. The husband would later go on to die by suicide shortly afterward.
Jonathan Tuck
Jonathan Tuck, the younger brother of DJ Khaled’s fiancée, Nicole Tuck, was shot and killed in New York City on February 4, 2018. Police say Tuck was attempting to buy marijuana at an acquaintance’s apartment when he was shot.
Yetunde Price
In September 14, 2003, the Williams lost their eldest sister, Yetunde Price, in a drive-by shooting. She was in an SUV along with her boyfriend, who was believed to be the intended target. On April 6, 2006, Southside Crips gang member Robert Edward Maxfield was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the crime.
Nicki’s Cousin Nicolas Telemaque
In 2011, Nicki’s cousin Nicolas Telemaque was shot dead in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old was reportedly on his way home after a night out. Queen Barbz tweeted the tragic news to her followers: “My cousin Nicholas. Also goes by Juse, or @brolicalcoholic Murdered. Last nite. Near his home. Brooklyn,NY, Lived in Brooklyn his whole life. My precious cousin. My baby. Killed last nite.”
Michael Jordan’s Father
On July 23, 1993, Michael Jordan’s father was killed at a rest stop while driving a Lexus coupe, a gift from his NBA-player son. His father’s body was found a week and half after the murder, and two men, Larry Demery and Daniel Green, were convicted of the crime.
Anthony Tyrone Tyrell
In 2008, Anthony Tyrone Tyrell, 17, shot and killed his mother, sister, and Juvenille’s 4-year-old daughter. Tyrell was given two life sentences after pleading guilty to the murder charges. Francis, Juvenille’s manager, spoke out on how he was doing, “It really shocked him and devastated him to the point where I’ve never seen him before.”
