The talented rapper Young Scooter tragically passed away on Friday night (March 28), the same day he celebrated his 39th birthday. This heartbreaking news was reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, along with additional details provided by the Atlanta Police.
Leading the investigation, Atlanta Police Lt. Andrew Smith held a press conference late Friday to disclose critical information surrounding the events that led to the untimely death of Young Scooter, whose birth name is Kenneth Edward Bailey. According to Lt. Smith, officers were dispatched to a residence following a report of a weapon-related dispute. Upon arrival, they established a perimeter after a male suspect refused to open the door. Two individuals attempted to escape through the back of the house, with one returning inside while the other made a desperate attempt to evade police by leaping over two fences.
Reports from the AJC indicate that Young Scooter was the individual who fled over the fences. Lt. Smith confirmed that when officers located him on the opposite side, he appeared to have sustained a significant injury to his leg, raising concerns about his well-being during this high-stress situation.
Following his injury, Young Scooter was transported to Grady Marcus Trauma Center, where unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. This news has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, highlighting the tragic impact of violence and the fragility of life.
During the aforementioned press conference, Lt. Smith firmly refuted the rampant speculation circulating on social media, which suggested that Young Scooter was shot by officers from the Atlanta Police Department. He clarified, “To be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on scene. It was when the male was fleeing,” emphasizing the need for accurate information in the wake of such a tragic event.
Young Scooter’s peers and fellow artists mourned his passing on social media platforms, with Playboi Carti expressing his disbelief by sharing the news on Instagram Stories with the caption “SMFH.” Quavo took to X, sharing his heartbreak with broken-heart and prayer-hands emojis, stating, “I don’t understand,” alongside a video of Young Scooter in action. The late rapper’s Instagram Stories were flooded with heartfelt messages celebrating his life and wishing him a happy birthday throughout that fateful Friday.
Originally from South Carolina, Young Scooter’s family relocated to Atlanta when he was just nine years old. This city became the backdrop for his burgeoning music career, which flourished within the vibrant landscape of hip-hop. He first gained local recognition with his hit track “Colombia” in 2012 and went on to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Future, Juicy J, and Young Thug on the track “DI$Function” in 2014. His talent was further solidified when he made his mark on the Billboard charts as a featured artist on Young Thug’s “Guwop,” which also included Quavo and Offset from Migos, reaching No. 45 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2016. In 2018, he achieved his sole appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Jet Lag,” a collaboration with Future and Juice WRLD, peaking at No. 72.
As the situation develops, Billboard has reached out to both the Atlanta Police and representatives of Young Scooter for further information, seeking clarity in this tragic incident.
You can see Quavo’s post about Young Scooter below:
