*Update*
Details continue to unfold in the shooting involving Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci that left one person dead and another injured. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that YFN Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, was the driver of the vehicle used in a gang-related drive-by shooting that took place in southwest Atlanta on December 10, 2020.
Lucci’s arrest warrant states the rapper and “three other criminal street gang members” drove to an area dominated by a rival gang before two people in the car opened fire with assault-style rifles.
One of those men was James Adams. Adams was shot in the head by the return gunfire and later died from his injuries. In a video recording obtained by investigators, before the shooting, Adams had reportedly said, “We’re fitting to (expletive) this city up, man!” The report later states that Lucci drove to the 900 block of Dimmock Street around 5:15 pm that day before pulling onto a shoulder.
Adams and 23-year-old Ra’von Boyd, who was seated in the front seat, opened fire. Boyd was hit in the abdomen during the exchange but survived his injuries. Adams was then “manually ejected” from the car and left in a nearby street.
Shortly after news broke that a warrant was out for his arrest for his connection in the Atlanta shooting, Atlanta Police told CNN that rapper YFN Lucci turned himself in and is currently in custody at Fulton County Jail.
Thomas Reynolds, an attorney for the 29-year-old star, said in a statement to the publication on Wednesday, January 13, “The presumption of innocence is a fundamental constitutional right for every citizen.” He added, “Beyond this, we have no further comment at this time.”
TMZ also obtained the troubling 911 call a woman made last month that led to the “Everyday We Lit” rapper’s felony murder warrant. In the tape, the witness claimed to have seen a white SUV speeding by “with a man hanging out of the car.” “Somebody just threw him out the car. He still tryna’ fight for his life,” the woman is heard saying before pleading for medical emergency personnel to arrive. She then tells the operator that the victim, who is presumed to have been James Adams, had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She remained on the scene until the ambulance arrived.
YFN Lucci is facing murder charges in the death of 28-year-old James Adams. Bennett is also facing charges of aggravated assault, participating in criminal street gang activity, and weapons charges, Atlanta police said.
According to the police report, Adams was found with a gunshot wound to the face on December 10. He later died from his injuries. A second gunshot victim, 32-year-old Kevin Wright, arrived at a nearby fire station in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He survived his injuries, and investigators were able to determine that both incidences were likely related.
The report further states that the shooting happened at a different location than where Adams’ body was dropped off. Officers also found multiple shell casings at the scene. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to YFN’s arrest.
23-year-old Ra’von Boyd and 17-year-old Leroy Pitts were arrested in Miami on similar charges for their alleged roles in the shooting, the report also stated.
Lucci has collaborated with some of hip-hop’s biggest stars, including his girlfriend Reginae Carter‘s father Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and many more. In 2014, he released his debut mixtape, “Wish Me Well.” His debut album, “Ray Ray From Summerhill,” reached No. 14 on the Billboard charts. He is most known for his 2017 single “Everyday We Lit.”
News of the Atlanta native’s warrant has since sparked debates over popular YouTube channel Vlad-TV and its host DJ Vlad. Many online users claimed that when Black celebrities appear on his platform, they are soon arrested for crimes they may have spoken about during their interview. Some have even gone as far as calling Vlad a flat-out informant, including one user who wrote, “Vladtv does an interview w/ a black celebrity *** days/months goes by *** Suddenly, news comes out for their arrest warrant.” They added, “U cannot tell me this sh-t was a coincidence. I don’t like YFN Lucci, but Vlad a str8 up INFORMANT. And he just did an interview w him..”
They followed up with another post saying, “If y’all don’t think these Black Celebrities are contributing to their own demise & willingly participate in this bullsh-t then you need to check ya mentality. Mad folks KNOW he been this way, yet they still go to interviews. Idk wtf it’s gonna take smfh…”
Another person wrote, “There’s plenty of black journalists that n-ggas could sit with but nah they f-ck with the detective smh.”
Late last year, the rapper appeared on the Dec. 23 Vlad-TV episode and discussed what took place back in September when he accidentally fired a real gun on the set of a video shoot, footage that went viral. The rapper claimed that he was given a weapon to hold as part of a performance prop but said unbeknownst to him the gun was real.
“When I cocked it back, GT’s like, ‘Nah, don’t cock it back,'” YFN Lucci said. “So it got stuck. I was aiming it at the ground and I just hit it. And I ain’t think nothing was in it, but that sh*t shot. And I said, ‘Oh that’s why you said don’t cock it back.”
