Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

PnB Rock death: Instagram post may have led to killing, says LAPD Chief

Gunman who killed rapper demanded jewelry and other valuables before getting into a struggle

Kevin E G Perry
Wednesday 14 September 2022 08:48 BST
Comments
Rapper PnB Rock targeted through Instagram post: LAPD

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The gunman who killed rapper PnB Rock in Los Angeles during a robbery may have been led to the location by an Instagram post, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday (13 September).

Moore said the attack occurred shortly after the rapper was tagged online as being at the Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles. Police are investigating whether that prompted the attack.

The 30-year-old Philadelphia rapper – real name Rakim Allen – was at the restaurant with his girlfriend on Monday (12 September), who posted a location-tagged photo in a since-deleted post on Instagram.

Per the Los Angeles Times, Moore said Rock: “was with his family — with his girlfriend or some kind of friend of his — and as they’re there, enjoying a simple meal, [he] was brutally attacked by an individual who apparently [came] to the location after a social media posting.”

Los Angeles police captain Kelly Muniz said a suspect brandished a firearm inside the restaurant and demanded jewellery and other valuables from the victim. He then shot Rock and ran through a side door to a getaway car. The victim was taken to hospital and pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m.

Rock’s 2015 single “Fleek” went viral on Vine, catapulting him into the spotlight.

He has collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper (“Cross Me”), XXXTentacion and Trippie Redd (“Bad Vibes Forever”), and Fetty Wap for the 2016 mixtape Money, Hoes & Flows.

Rock is best known for his 2016 single “Selfish”, which peaked at No 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.

His most recent song “Luv Me Again” was released earlier this month.

The rapper is survived by two children, including a two-year-old daughter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in