RapperXXXTentacionwas fatally shot on Monday afternoon in what investigators believe was a “possible robbery” as he left a motorcycle dealership north of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, PEOPLE confirms.
The shooting was first reported at 3:57 p.m. at a Deerfield Beach motorsports shop, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
About an hour and a half after the shooting was reported, the sheriff’s office announced that XXXTentacion had been pronounced dead at a local hospital.
An apparent onlooker at the scene soon shared video on Twitter of a man who looks like XXXTentacion sitting motionless in the front seat of a vehicle as someone checked his pulse.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call detectives John Curcio or Walt Foster at 954-321-4210 or an anonymous tip line at 954-493-TIPS.
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In his few years in the spotlight, XXXTentacion, a 20-year-old Florida native, saw national success as a rapper as well as several high-profile run-ins with the law — including allegations he was abusive.
His debut album, 2017’s17, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and his follow-up in March,?, debuted at No. 1. His single “Sad!,” also from March, cracked the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
At the time of the shooting this week, however, XXXTentacionwas reportedly facing trial on multiple felony chargesin connection with allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman.
The woman said then that, while living with XXXTentacion in Orlando, Florida, he allegedly threatened her life “like every day.” He also punched, kicked, tackled and head-butted her, among other abuse, she said.
In a separate incident from 2015,according toPitchfork, XXXTentacion pleaded no contest to aggravated battery with a firearm and armed home invasion charges. He was sentenced in that case to six years’ probation.
XXXTentacion’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A man who answered the phone at the dealership where the shooting occurred said they could not discuss it due to the ongoing investigation.
source: people.com
