Photo courtesy of Miami.com.
Summary: On Monday, rapper XXXTentacion was shot and killed in South Florida.
Rapper XXXTentacion was gunned down in South Florida on Monday. The musician, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was shopping at a motorcycle dealership when he was shot in an attempted robbery, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office told USA TODAY.
XXtentacion, 20, was taken to North Broward Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said they are attempting to look for two suspects in the shooting but no arrests have been made. A motive was not released either.
The sheriff’s office said that XXXTentacion had been shopping at RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, and he was about to leave when two armed suspects approached him. At least one person shot him before both suspects escaped in a dark SUV. Police said they believe the shooting occurred during a possible robbery.
XXXTentacion’s album “?” debuted at number one in March, and he first arrived on the rap scene in 2017 with his hit “Look at Me!” Although he was gaining mainstream success, USA Today said that in Florida he was a known troublemaker who had frequent run-ins with the law.
“He was currently awaiting trial on charges including domestic battery, aggravated battery and false imprisonment against his pregnant girlfriend stemming from 2016,” USA Today stated.
XXXTentacion was accused by ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala of torture and physical and verbal abuse. Allegations include threats of cutting out her tongue, choking her, and breaking clothes hangers over her legs. While many other high-profile men were ostracized during the #MeToo movement, XXXTentacion was mostly unscathed and beloved in the hip-hop and rap community.
After his death, for instance, Kanye West tweeted, “I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing.”
J.Cole stated, “RIP X. Enormous talent and limitless potential and a strong desire to be a better person. God bless his family, friends and fans.”
The Chicago Tribune spoke with Stephanie Martinez, a mom who lives in the area, said she heard three shots. When she drove to the end of the street, she saw the rapper’s body in his car.
“He has his mouth open and his hand out. Two people went over and checked his pulse,” said Martinez. “It’s just weird because he should’ve had security and stuff with him.”
Florida police are still investigating the shooting. On Monday, they tweeted, “Anyone with information is urged to contact homicide detectives Walt Foster or John Curcio at (954) 321-4210 or crimestoppers2, anonymously, at (954) 493-TIPS.”