UPDATED: Rapper PnB Rock was shot today in Los Angeles as a result of a robbery attempt. He was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital, the L.A. Times reported.
An explicit and graphic video is currently circulating online purportedly depicting Rock, whose real name is Rakim Allen, on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood.
The incident took place inside the Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles restaurant located in Inglewood, as Allen was dining with his girlfriend. According to reports, law enforcement was called around 1:23 p.m. to respond to a shooting resulting in life-threatening injuries.
so pnb rock gf posted their location. just to show THE MEDIA he took her on a Date. Social media had rotted yall Brains and may have costed him his life. I hope he makes it and ends contact with her. ????????
— WRITE A RAP ???? (@WriteARapSis) September 12, 2022
While many took to Twitter to send hopeful messages to PnB Rock, some also speculated that the shooter was aware of the rapper’s location due to his girlfriend posting — and tagging Roscoe’s — on her Instagram story. One source cited by TMZ claimed the shooter took all of PnB Rock’s jewelry before fleeing the scene.
Wow.. this PNB Rock situation crazy.. i just did a interview with him a week ago where he detailed how someone tried to rob him in LA recently while he was out with his girlfriend and daughter. Now.. this.. smh. Pray for PNB Rock.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) September 12, 2022
Influential hip-hop podcaster Akademiks tweeted, “Wow.. this PNB Rock situation crazy. I just did a interview with him a week ago where he detailed how someone tried to rob him in LA recently while he was out with his girlfriend and daughter. Now.. this.. smh. Pray for PNB Rock.”
PnB Rock is a Philadelphia native who is best known for his 2016 breakout single “Selfish,” which peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Previously signed to Atlantic Records, Rock has been extremely vocal in celebrating his newfound independence and separation from the Warner Music Group label. His first independent release arrived with “Luv Me Again,” which was just released on Sept. 2.
The LAPD issued a public statement at 4 p.m. local time referencing a “shooting investigation” involving a male Black victim on W. Manchester Ave. They later confirmed a homicide at the location.
Following news of PnB Rock’s death, condolences poured into social media from all over the music industry. Read some of those tributes below.
R.I.P. PNB ROCK ???????? damn mane this is so sad
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) September 13, 2022
I’m so disgusted over PNB Rock’s murder. I’m so sick of tweets about this stuff and prayer hand emojis. Our country is truly sick. We need help. I’m not sure if the American experiment is working.
— Rosenberg from Hot 97 and ESPN (@Rosenbergradio) September 13, 2022
r.i.p pnb rock. shit is so ridiculous. he had family and kids too and wasn’t involved in anything gang related but was taken out because people want money. when will all of this stop already
— FaZe Sway (@FaZeSway) September 13, 2022
PnB Rock was one of the first people i met out here. i remember being tucked away at a shoot feeling out of place & he went to the director and told them to make sure to prioritize me the same way.
he was gentle and kind with me, a newcomer and stranger.
rest in peace, man. ????
— CHIKA ???? (@oranicuhh) September 13, 2022
We’re deeply saddened to learn about the loss of PnB Rock at the hands of a fatal shooting. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, and we remember his impact across the industry. pic.twitter.com/vjQxfOOf5X
— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2022
Sending love to PNB rocks family and loved ones ????????????????????
— BIA (@BIABIA) September 13, 2022
funny story,
directly after ski and i shot the catch me outside video in nyc, i went down the street to shoot a pnb rock video for heartracin. ski came with me and ended up hopping in the vid with pnb and his boys. same fit from the catch me outside vid and everything.
rip ????
— Cole Bennett (@_ColeBennett_) September 13, 2022
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.