The son of a prominent figure in the L.A. rap community and alleged gang leader was shot and killed outside a smoke shop late Friday night, according to reports.
A spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department stated that officers were dispatched to the intersection of 69th Street and Figueroa Street in South L.A. at 11:11 p.m. for a shooting call.
“The victim, described as a 34-year-old Black male, walked up to the suspect vehicle when an unknown suspect or suspects shot at him,” the LAPD spokesperson confirmed to KTLA.
The suspect or suspects then fled in an unknown direction, the department spokesperson added. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
While LAPD could not confirm whether the shooting was gang-related, nor did they identify the victim by name, several reports emerging Saturday morning indicate the decedent is Jabari “Baby Uiie” Henley, the son of Eugene “Big U” Henley, the alleged former leader of the Rolling 60’s Neighborhood Crips gang and a hip-hop executive known for managing Kurupt and the late Nipsey Hussle, the latter of whom was a notable member of Rolling 60’s.
In the past, Henley billed himself as an “OG” (original gangster) turned anti-gang activist; however, he turned himself over to federal authorities in March following a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the Rolling 60’s.
It has been alleged that he required high-profile people who went to his gang’s territory to “check in” with him, or forcing celebrities to pay a protection fee so they could travel around without fear of violence. According to an affidavit, which charged Henley and seven others, the practice of “checking in” is widespread and didn’t affect his standing in the hip-hop community.
The affidavit also charges him with kidnapping and robbery. Henley is also implicated in the 2021 murder of a young rapper, Rayshawn Williams, but it was not listed in the charges.
“While Henley and other supporters attempt to persuade the public that the ‘check in’ provides safety and security for those who do so, as set forth herein, he and the Big U Enterprise also manufacture the very danger they purport to protect against,” federal officials said in the affidavit.
“If I was to describe Big U’s role in rap, he would definitely be the godfather,” Wiz Khalifa said in the “Hip Hop Uncovered” docuseries, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “Can’t do nothing without consulting him. He’s the only guy who does move how he moves.”
He pleaded not guilty to all charges in May. One of Henley’s other sons, Daiyan, plays linebacker for the L.A. Chargers.
KTLA is still working to independently verify the identity of the decedent. This story will be updated when details are confirmed.
Cameron Kiszla contributed to this report.
The post Reports: Son of rap executive, alleged Rolling 60’s Crips leader shot dead in L.A. appeared first on KTLA.
