Up-and-coming rapper Sayso P has been killed and his pal Sauce Walka has been wounded in a targeted double shooting in Tennessee Saturday, according to reports.
Latorian Hunt, 27, a Raleigh-born rapper better known as Sayso P, was killed after the shooting broke out near the FedExForum in Downtown Memphis, home to the NBA’s Grizzlies, Fox13 reported, citing sources.
Albert Walker Mondane, 34, who raps under the name Sauce Walka, was injured in the shooting, according to multiple outlets, including The Breakfast Club, although the Memphis Police Department didn’t name the victims as of Monday.
The suspected shooters got out of their car and began shooting outside the Westin Hotel just after 2:45 p.m., police stated.
Hunt — who had recently signed to Mondane’s record label Sauce Familia — was shot multiple times, while Mondane was shot in the thigh, KHOU 11 reported quoting Mondane’s father.
“Had it not been for God, my son would’ve been dead,” Albert Walker, known to fans as “Poppa Sauce,” told the outlet.
Mondane appeared to confirm the death of his fellow labelmate in a video shared following the shooting by Memphis-based clothing store The Superior Shop on Sunday.
In the video, Mondane is seen with bandages covering the gunshot wounds to his left leg as he pays his respects to Hunt.
“RIP Sayso P man,” Modane says in the video, as he FaceTimes his father and asks how many times his family’s home was shot up while he was growing up.
“45 shots when I was 15 years old,” he says. “This s–t ain’t nothing new.”
In another video, Mondane appears on crutches as he again pays tribute to Hunt, as shown in the clip shared on X on Monday morning.
Police believe the shooting was targeted and are still hunting for those responsible, although they have identified a vehicle they believe may have been used.
“This appears to be an isolated incident, not random violence,” the MPD said in a statement. “Officers have identified the suspect vehicle and are actively working to make an arrest.”
Cops are hunting for a white four-door sedan, MPD Assistant Chief Don Crowe said during a weekend press conference.
The MPD didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
“We want to assure our community and visitors that Downtown Memphis is a safe place,” the force said in a statement. “This incident was not a random act of violence. Early indications are that the victims and suspects are known to each other.
“We understand the public’s concern and reiterate that this was not a random act. MPD is committed to bringing those responsible to justice and will be utilizing downtown camera footage and other technology available to aid in identifying everyone involved,” the statement continued.