A week after violence
erupted at an after party that was to feature The Inc. rapper Ja Rule in Peoria,
Illinois, more violence occurred last night in Ja’s hometown of New York,
this time resulting in death.
Two men left the
LQ club on Manhattan’s Eastside and opened fire on two men they argued
with earlier in the evening, during a holiday celebration hosted by Ja Rule
and Hot 97’s DJ Envy.
One man, 39, was
shot in the torso and buttocks and was pronounced dead hours later at an area
hospital. The second man, 36, was shot in the stomach and is in stable condition.
Police have not
spoken to the second man due to his condition, but reports confirmed both men
are from Queens.
No suspects have
been apprehended and police are scanning footage from multiple cameras in the
club that may have captured the altercation.
Witnesses described
the gunman as a man in his 20’s, wearing a yellow coat as he fled the
scene of the shooting.
Police recovered
a handgun and multiple shell casings as well.
Officials are investigating
the shooting to see if its drug related, or connected to a string of club shootings
in New York.
The Inc. is currently
under federal investigation due to their association with Kenneth “Supreme”
McGriff.
The government
accuses The Inc. of helping McGriff, former Queen’s drug kingpin, launder
millions in drug proceeds through their record label.
McGriff is also
being investigated for his alleged role in 8 other murders, including that of
Queen’s rapper, E Money Bags.
The Inc. CEO Irv
Gotti has repeatedly denied knowledge of any wrongdoing, stating that he was
simply helping a childhood friend gain entry into the music business.
In November, a
book keeper for The Inc. was indicted for alleged money laundering. Ja Rule’s
manager was arrested a short time later for the same charges. Both have denied
any wrongdoing.
Sources have stated
that Irv Gotti will be indicted on alleged tax evasion charges as well.
