A rapper from the Bay Area named Stacey Gilton, known by his stage name "Lil Yee," was shot late Thursday night during an armed robbery at a recording studio in East Hollywood. According to police, the incident happened around 10 p.m. in the 4500 block of Melrose Avenue while Gilton was in the middle of a recording session.
The assailant reportedly interrupted the session and demanded Gilton’s watch. When Gilton refused to hand it over, the suspect shot him twice in the chest. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived shortly after the shooting and found Gilton injured. He was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition is currently described as critical but stable.
Police have released a brief description of the shooter, who is described as a Black male in his mid to late 20s. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction, and as of Friday afternoon, no arrests had been made. Authorities believe the robbery was not linked to gang activity. However, they are investigating the possibility that the incident may have been a setup involving another rapper.
Lil Yee is originally from the Fillmore neighborhood in San Francisco. He gained recognition with his 2016 hit single "War," which has nearly 5 million streams on Spotify. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of his music and how it connects with fans, particularly regarding themes of grief and mental health.
This shooting is part of a troubling trend involving attacks on musicians. In recent years, several high-profile artists have been victims of violence, including Nipsey Hussle, who was murdered in 2019, and Pop Smoke, who was killed in a home invasion in 2020. Other artists have also faced similar fates, raising concerns about the safety of musicians in the industry.