Earlier this week, we reported an armored SUV registered to YG, real name Keenon Jackson, was involved in a shootout that left 65-year-old Rickie Cornell Starks dead in what police believe was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
After news about the vehicle being registered to YG went public, he took to Twitter to clear up his involvement.
“I was in Hollywood recording in the studio all day,” he tweeted. “I was there until after midnight on the 4th of July and didn’t learn of these events until after they happened!”
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies said the shooters were in YG’s bulletproof Cadillac Escalade when they fired several shots into a patrol car late Wednesday night after a reckless driving or DUI call promoted officials to pursue the vehicle.
Allegedly, someone inside the SUV opened fire on deputies with a high-powered assault rifle. The deputies returned fire before the vehicle temporarily got away. Once the sheriff’s helicopter caught up with the SUV, someone on the passenger side allegedly fired several shots at the aircraft. The suspects reportedly abandoned the car before one was captured and arrested. At least one other suspect was able to escape.
According to TMZ, the car is a company car and YG had no idea it was being used at the time of the shootout.
Starks was found later, with multiple gunshot wounds. He later died at a local hospital. One deputy suffered graze wounds to the arm and shoulder during the incident. A rep for the “Go Loko” rapper told TMZ that his attornies have been in contact with authorities about the matter.
The news of the shooting comes one week after YG affiliate, Slim 400, was shot in Los Angeles. After being shot nine times in his upper back, lower back, jaw and the top of his head, Slim had multiple surgeries and is expected to make a full recovery.