Rapper Busta Rhymes
was arrested shortly after an appearance at Heineken’s AmsterJam Festival last
night (Aug. 19) on Randalls Island. While
details of the arrest were not immediately available, police claim Rhymes may
have assaulted a concertgoer that allegedly spit on his car, after his performance
around 5 p.m.The
New York Daily News reports that members of Rhymes’ entourage were also arrested
and that police used the opportunity to question Rhymes for hours, about the Feb.
5 slaying of his bodyguard Israel Ramirez.Ramirez,
29, was shot and killed in Brooklyn, during a star-studded video shoot of Rhymes’
hit single "Touch It (Remix). Ramirez
was a longtime friend and bodyguard for Rhymes, who has been the subject of criticism
for allegedly refusing to cooperate with investigators. Police
believe an argument between G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo and another group of men sparked
the deadly shooting on the set of the video.
Rhymes and Yayo reportedly agreed to meet investigators shortly after the shooting,
but both backed out. Yayo’s
attorney Scott Leemon informed police in Feb. that the G-Unit rapper would not
make any statements to law enforcement, saying it wasn’t "in his character"
to speak to the authorities. NYPD
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly criticized Rhymes, Yayo and those present for
failing to cooperate with authorities. Last
week, Ramirez’ older sister Sonia Rodriguez told The New York Post that
her family was still reeling from the death of Ramirez, who had three sons."I
understand the code of the streets, [but] they’re probably just very afraid for
themselves and their families," Ramirez said. "We’re not doing well.
Our family is destroyed. We’re not going to be complete again…especially during
the holidays. There is definitely going to be an empty seat at this table."
Ramirez
said she was nauseated by Rhymes giving her late brother shout outs during his
performances. "He
doesn’t give two diddlies about my brother," Ramirez told The New York
Post. "At this point, I honestly believe Busta is using my brother’s
death as a publicity stunt – and I’m angry He may perceive it as this is how he
shows he cares, but I don’t see it. He’s really got a lot to do to prove me wrong,
and talking to the cops about what happened that night would be a big step."
Police
have a recording of the tape which allegedly indicates Rhymes may have witnessed
the shooting. According
to sources, the tape reveals the argument that led up to the shooting and the
voice of an unidentified man calling Busta Rhymes a "b***h." Police
believe the man on heard on the tape is the gunman, who police say may have fled
with Tony Yayo.
