Snootie Wild is the latest rapper to lose his life to gun violence.
The tragedy was confirmed Saturday night on the artist’s verified CMG Instagram page: “Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever!” the caption read. “💙 #TeamYayo4Life💯.”
ABC 13 reports that a man was found shot in the neck early Friday in the South Side area of Houston. Authorities said they received reports of gunfire around 2 a.m. along England Street, where they discovered a man in a ditch next to an SUV. A man was shot in the neck and taken to hospital in critical condition.
Despite rumors, Snootie, real name LePreston Porter, was not confirmed dead after the news broke. His official Facebook account shared a message saying he was “fighting for his life”.
“Snootie isn’t dead!” But he is fighting for his life. Out of respect for the family, please refrain from sharing anything not communicated through their official accounts. Thank you.”
According to ABC 13, a neighbor captured the shooting on video, which authorities are currently investigating.
“Looks like he backed up there (the ditch) accidentally,” said Lt. R. Willkens of the Houston Police Department. “Then the other vehicle stopped and people got out of the car. They talked a bit and then all of a sudden there was gunfire. One shot, actually.
It is not known whether the HPD has identified any suspects.
News of Snootie’s death comes more than three months after fellow Memphis rapper Young Dolph was fatally shot.
Snootie rose to prominence in 2014, following the release of his Yo Gotti-assisted single “Yayo” and “Made Me”. After signing to Gotti’s CMG imprint in 2013, Snootie delivered his debut EP go modefollowed by his 2015 tape don’t stop me.
Gotti opened up about his protege in a 2016 interview with The Fader.
“My moments are like, when I see an artist like Snootie Wild in a wing shop and he tells me he just got out of jail, plays me a few songs and tells me how hard it is for him in the streets”, he mentioned. “So I tell him I believe in the music he makes and I’m trying to change his life. And eight months later his life has changed. He performed at the BET Awards, got songs in the top 10 radio stations in the country, performing on 106 & Park. In eight months! It’s the shit I like.
Hip-hop figures including Boozie Badazz and DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia have since taken to social media to pay tribute to Snootie.
Complex has reached out to Snootie’s team for comment.
