Rapper J Stash has passed away. The 28-year-old reportedly died by suicide after fatally shooting a mother in the presence of her three children.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to calls of a possible domestic violence incident on Saturday (Jan. 1) and arrived to find “a 27-year-old female Hispanic and a 28-year-old male Black unresponsive inside the[ir Temple City] home.” The woman was shot multiple times, while the man “sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.” The individuals have since been identified as Jeannette Gallegos and “Flexin” emcee J. Stash.
Deputies also found Gallegos’ three children, who range from the ages 5-11, upon their arrival. They were unharmed, removed from the residence and are now with family.
Stash and Gallegos had been dating for nearly a year and living together for a few months, Lieutenant Derrick Alfred of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office told The Sun. During an argument on New Year’s Day, the rapper pulled his girl into the master bedroom and locked the door. Gallegos’ children knocked on the door in an attempt to check on their mother but were unable to get in. They called their grandmother after hearing gunshots and were instructed to call the police.
The fatal incident is not the first time J Stash was involved in a domestic violence dispute. In 2014, he was accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend Danielle Phaeton in the face and body. The charges were ultimately dropped.
Stash, born Justin Joseph, is a former signee of Rich the Kid‘s Rich Forever Music record label. He gradually drew his fanbase with the release of his Hood Rich project in 2016 and subsequent mixtapes like No More Distractions, Relax With Me, and 6ix Before 7even.
His death has been met with tributes from fellow rappers SpotemGottem and Trippie Redd.
“Speechless wishing this is a dream damn J,” SpotemGottem wrote. “Damn fam this hurt that gang but nobody kno what u going through till it all end.”
Trippie Redd added, “Rip to my twin. I can’t believe this.”
See Trippie’s tribute below.