PnB Rock, best known for his 2016 single “Selfish,” was tragically shot during a robbery at the Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles restaurant in South Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, according to law enforcement officials.
According to Los Angeles police Capt. Kelly Muniz, a shooting occurred at the popular cafe on Main Street and Manchester Avenue around 1:15 p.m. She refused to name the victim.
Rock, 30, was in the restaurant with his girlfriend, who had shared a location-tagged photo in a since-deleted Instagram post.
Inside the restaurant, a suspect displayed a pistol and demanded belongings from the victim, according to Muniz. According to The New York Times, Rock was targeted because of his jewellery.
During the heist, the assailant shot the victim almost immediately, according to Muniz.
“He shot the victim and rushed out the side door to a getaway car before fleeing the parking lot,” she claimed.
According to Muniz, the man was transferred to the hospital and pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m.
Los Angeles Police Department investigators are scrutinising security video from inside the restaurant to identify the shooter, according to a law enforcement source. They are also inspecting nearby businesses to see whether security cameras got any photos of the suspect fleeing on foot or in a vehicle.
According to Muniz, investigators were reviewing evidence Monday night. She refused to comment on what was found.
Rock was born in Philadelphia on December 9, 1991. He told Paper Magazine that when he was 19, he was inspired to start music after hearing Drake’s decade-defining album “Take Care.”
Rock’s ability to mix melodies and rapping made him an obvious choice for hip-next hop’s stage. He rose to national notoriety with his 2015 track “Fleek,” which turned a viral Vine video into an anthem for ladies all over the country trying to look their best. On “Cross Me,” he collaborated with a slew of artists, including Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper.
One of his most memorable collaborations was with Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci in 2016 for the victory hymn “Everyday We Lit.” The song peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it either artist’s highest-charting hit.
What do you call yourself when you still include rap into your s—?” In 2017, he told Paper Magazine People can’t call me a rapper, but I don’t consider myself a singer either.” I’m not going crazy and hitting very high notes. I can’t sing Chris Brown for you. “I just have nice melodies.”
The Billboard Hot 100 charted “Selfish” at No. 51. On September 2, Rock released his latest single, “Luv Me Again.”
Rock’s death comes as authorities report an increase in “follow home” robberies and other violent events.
Pop Smoke, a Brooklyn rapper whose true name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was slain during a house invasion in the Hollywood Hills in February 2020.
Authorities believe the assailants were lured to his residence by social media posts, including one of a black gift bag labelled with his address.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Southeast Community Police Station, which covers the region where the shooting occurred on Monday, has witnessed 34 homicides this year through September 3, compared to 35 in the same period last year.
Robberies increased by 25.2% during that time period, from 373 to 467, according to the figures.
During a Sept. 2 broadcast of the podcast “Off the Record with DJ Akademiks,” Rock discussed previous robberies in Los Angeles.
The rapper said that he was out with his girlfriend and daughter on Fairfax Avenue “mid-pandemic”when he was robbed.
We like sly criminals where I’m from,” Rock explained. They’re bold in L.A.
Rock and the host discussed how robberies targeting rappers appeared to be on the rise.
I’ve never been robbed in my life, Rock stated. I’m not going to say never because I dislike saying never.” I’m not religious, yet I’ve never been robbed.
That’s why I think L.A.’s eerie, man, Akademiks explained. “It’s just so daring. I’m seeing insane videos, as if they don’t do it at night. Maybe at night, but they truly do it in broad daylight.
After his older brother was killed, Rock said he changed, becoming more on edge and aware of how quickly a situation may turn fatal.
It was simply something in me that let me realise, like this s— real life,” Rock explained. “I’ve watched people die.” I’ve been around people who died…. Anyone can die.
