A rapper was reportedly shot and killed in Maryland last week during the filming of a music video.
“Keaway Lafonz Ivy, 21, of Southeast D.C., was found dead in a parking lot in the 400 block of Eastern Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday,” NBC Washington reports. “Ivy was pronounced dead at the scene.”
He rapped under the name Kealo and his song “Hang With Me” can be viewed on YouTube.
The shooting occurred in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. Police have arrested Lafonzo Leonard Iracks in connection with the death.
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“According to a preliminary investigation, Ivy and Iracks were shooting a music video when Iracks discharged his weapon, striking Ivy,” NBC says. “Investigators have not said whether the shooting was intentional or accidental.”
Witness have said they thought the gun was a prop and the shooting was accidental.
“The gun was apparently being used as a prop in the video by one of his entourage as they filmed in Maryland on Wednesday,” The New York Daily News reports. “Investigators say there were around 20 people in the parking lot of a housing complex when the gun went off.”
Keaway Lafonz Ivy was planning to travel with his music and was passionate about editing visuals.
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“Ivy’s sister, Erica Ivy, said her brother rapped and performed in a go-go band,” The Washington Post reports. “He recently performed at the corner of 18th and T streets in Southeast for a neighborhood block day and was planning to travel to South Carolina for a show in June. But as much as he enjoyed performing, he loved editing and filming videos more. A photo from his Instagram page shows him cradling four cameras dangling around his neck, and his YouTube profile features dozens of videos he performed in or produced.”
According to a recent study, murder is the #1 cause of death amongst rappers.
“It’s a cautionary tale to some degree,” Professor Dianna Kenny says of the findings. “People who go into Rap music or Hip Hop or punk, they’re in a much more occupational hazard profession compared to war. We don’t lose half our army in a battle.”
