Killer Mike had a strong message for some Black men involved in a shootout that caused damage to his Atlanta-area barbershop: stop the gun violence.
“Please consider what would have happened if one of y’all actually hit one another. The jail, the lawyer fees, the funeral cost and two black families loss. I’m glad y’all cud not hit the side of a barn with a shot gun cuz this am y’all all are alive,” the artist and activist, whose real name is Mike Render, wrote on Instagram this week.
Located along Roosevelt Highway in the Atlanta suburb of South Fulton, the OG SWAG Shop was not the intended target Sunday night when shooting erupted. According to witnesses who spoke to WSBTV, the shooting actually started outside the neighboring Burn Lounge Atlanta.
No one was hit, but cars in the parking lot and the OG Swag Shop’s windows were damaged. The shop had been closed for renovations, and Killer Mike said he wasn’t upset because property can be replaced. He did apologize to his customers, however, because the shop’s relaunch would be delayed as a result of the damage caused.
“It was not a personal attack but it was black men who cud not shoot for s–t shooting at one another. I am not upset as property can be replaced. I am sorry to my customers as this will continue pause the re launch of the OG SWAG Shop barber Shop,” Killer Mike continued.
Councilwoman Helen Willis represents the area. She said police have surveillance video and told WSB she shared the rapper’s sentiments. “Somebody could have been hit. … They have to go to funerals, people go to jail, because whoever did this, they’re going to jail,” Willis said.
A passionate advocate for Black people attaining prosperity and unity, Killer Mike said he was in the recording booth at 1 a.m. when he was called about the shooting, which happened after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. He reminded people, like he had during violent protests last year, that it was Black businesses that would suffer from such acts.
“Being a biz owner connected to the community this one hurt as nobody else’s (meaning non-black) was affected and simply becuz of tempers and poor decisions our biz is being stifled,” Killer Mike said.
He thanked everyone who assisted in boarding his shop up and told authorities he wants something positive to come out of the situation.
