‘Hope u straight:’ Fans express concern for rapper reportedly shot at Miami restaurant
As many as 10 people were shot outside The Licking Thursday night in Miami Gardens after an argument between two groups escalated, police said.
The incident went down at the DJ Khaled owned hot spot at around 8 p.m.; among the wounded is reportedly rapper Rob49 (real name: Robert Smith) who was making a video with French Montana and others. The 23 year old New Orleans singer, whose condition is unclear, is best known for his recent collaboration with Lil Baby, the NSFW hit “Vulture Island 2.”
Fellow hip hopper CED Mogul shared a video with local station NBC-6 purporting to show Montana in a car with Rob49. On his own social media, CED is seen speaking outside the restaurant with reporters saying that he thought nine people were shot, when in actuality, the number of victims is 10. Their conditions were not known Friday morning.
Miami Gardens police chief Delma Noel-Pratt said in a statement that it is believed the shooting is “an isolated incident.”
TMZ posted video by an onlooker showing the chaos in the immediate aftermath. A man, whose face is blurred out, is seen lying on the ground surrounded by first responders, with sirens blaring and smoke in the air.
French Montana, born Karim Kharbouch, did not comment on the drama on social media, but did tease earlier that day that he had new music coming. “We dropping a version with 20 tracks tonight,” wrote French Montana, who was born in Morocco and moved to New York City. The rapper, who used to record independently, got his big break after signing to joint-venture record deal with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records and Miami legend Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group in 2012. His biggest hit to date was 2017’s “Unforgettable” (featuring Swae Lee). The rapper survived a gunshot wound to the head in 2003 when he was shot while visiting a recording studio in The Bronx. According to the rapper, he was set up by a friend. One of the assailants was killed.
Concerned messages were left by fans under Rob49’s latest post announcing a few upcoming concert dates. He was set to play the Toyota Center in Houston Saturday night as part of Future and Friends’ One Big Party.
“Please be alive, I’m bout to cry.”
“I heard what happened, hope u straight.”
“God, I’m asking you to bless Rob to pull through and make a full recovery.”
This story was originally published January 6, 2023 at 12:39 PM.
