A birthday and CD release party for North Memphis rapper Yo Gotti was interrupted on Friday (May 19) morning by a shooting at a Beale Street nightclub.
Police are investigating if an alleged feud between Yo Gotti rivals may have sparked the shooting just after 3:00 am, inside of the Plush Club.
Witnesses said one shot was fired, but the single bullet managed to strike three different people.
“A shot was fired and one individual was shot in the abdomen,” Said Memphis Police Sgt. Vince Higgins, “He’s now in stable condition at The Med. The investigation is ongoing, but this one bullet managed to injure three people.”
Police have yet to identify a suspect in the shooting, which took place in front up to 800 people.
“Let’s face it there were hundreds of witnesses,” Higgins said. “Someone saw what happened someone saw who fired the round we’d like for them to come forward.”
According to witnesses, several men allegedly left the club after a dispute and returned armed and over ran security, which had been beefed up due to anticipated violence.
While details are sketchy, reports said a rival group also appeared in the club wearing shirts that featured degrading remarks about Yo Gotti.
Initial reports said the root of the rappers’ feud may be over a song named “Memphis Walk.”
Memphis rapper Miscellaneous released a version of the song two years ago, while Yo Gotti recently recorded a song by the same title.
Miscellaneous’ manager denied the charges and said the two rappers spoke before the event at Club Plush and resolved their differences.
Yo Gotti’s attorney denied his client was involved in the shooting as well.
“Yo Gotti’s very dismayed at what happened the other night,” Gotti’s attorney Arthur Horne told reporters. “He doesn’t condone that type of behavior and feels as though it was irresponsible, but does not have any control over what individuals do in that kind of setting.”
Yo Gotti was featured on the soundtrack to the Oscar Award winning film Hustle & Flow and has been a longtime fixture in the Memphis rap scene.
Yo Gotti’s Back 2 Da Basics hits stores on Tuesday (May 23) and features production by Mannie Fresh, DJ Toomp, Street Tunes, Carlos Broady and features appearances by Baby, Lil’ Wayne, Bun B. and others.