What to Know
- Ezra Weah, a 21-year-old rapper also known as Bankroll Gambino, was shot and killed in Southwest Philadelphia Monday night.
- Five other men were also struck in the shooting. Three of the survivors are in critical condition while two are stable.
- Police said gunmen had also targeted Weah early Sunday morning.
An up-and-coming Philadelphia rapper was gunned down on a Southwest Philadelphia street Sunday night as he was getting ready to shoot a promotional video from his Instagram account.
Ezra Weah, who went by the stage name Bankroll Gambino, was with a group of people in front of a home on the 2600 block of Carroll Street around 8:20 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire.
Weah, 21, was shot in the head and died at the scene. Five other men in their 20s were also shot. Three of the survivors are in critical condition while the other two are stable.
"I went upstairs in my room and then all of a sudden you hear all these shots," Sabrie Comer told NBC10. "I came outside, you see two guys laying on top of each other. One guy on the step. One guy right across the street from me laying across the car shot up. It was just a mess."
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross initially said that investigators were told the victims were part of a group that was gathered to film a hip-hop video. Weah’s manager Kenney Blake said the video was actually filmed Saturday and Weah was on Carroll Street to shoot a promo for his Aug. 10 single release.
Police also said gunmen had shot at Weah Sunday morning around 4 a.m. They have not yet revealed whether that shooting, in which Weah was not hurt, was connected to the fatal shooting Sunday night.
Weah, who was born in West Africa but raised in Philadelphia, actively posted to Instagram and had videos on YouTube.
A vigil is being planned for Weah and his single will be released on August 10.
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"We had a young black man trying to change his life and once again our city strikes," Blake said. "I'm in disbelief."
Police have not released a description of any suspects.
The shooting occurred only a few blocks from where six people were shot during a graduation party last month.
Ross said there is a fear of possible retaliation. Investigators were out in the neighborhood early Monday morning.
