(AllHipHop News) New Orleans resident Keith “Magik” Atkinson was killed Sunday morning. The 31-year-old was a friend of YMCMB rapper Lil Wayne and Young Money president Mack Maine.
Magik was killed by a police officer, and Wayne, Mack, and Atkinon’s family are questioning the circumstances surrounding his death.
Atkinson was at a corner store when police arrived responding to a call about a Little Hug fruit juice shoplifting incident. The suspect was said to be wearing a blue shirt which happened to be the same color shirt Atkinson had on at the time.
Witnesses on the scene stated that Atkinson was not the shoplifter, but he ended up being shoot four times by officer Jonathan Hirdes. Police say they found a stolen .45 caliber gun next to his body.
Atkinson had been in trouble with the law in the past. He was on probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession, and he reportedly was shot six times in recent years.
“I’m not saying he was an altar boy, but he wasn’t a straight-out killer. He wasn’t a criminal,” said Atkinson’s father Keith Joseph. “He held up through almost 40 surgeries, to lose his life at the hands of a police officer. I don’t think it’s justice… It’s not right.”
Lil Wayne and Mack Maine took to social media to express their condolences for Atkinson. They had all been partying together the night before.
Just saw my homey last night hadn’t spoke to him in a minute…today the police killed him….crazy…#RIPMagic#Hollygrove17th
— Mack Maine (@mackmaine) February 16, 2014
Told my homey put ya hands up he went to put his hands up and had a drink in his hands they thought it was a gun….s### wild out here
— Mack Maine (@mackmaine) February 16, 2014
R.I.P 2my homie Magik from my hood,just with him last nite kops killed him this morning, had a drink in his hand,not a gun.dats dat bullsh*t
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) February 16, 2014
The New Orleans police department has released few details about the shooting. NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas says a full investigation about the matter will be conducted.
Atkinson was survived by three children.
Watch Keith Atkinson’s father Keith Joseph speak about his son’s death below.
