The hip-hop community and fans worldwide are mourning the tragic death of PnB Rock, who was fatally shot during a robbery at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore confirmed that the Monday afternoon attack occurred after the rapper was tagged online at the restaurant, prompting an investigation into whether social media played a role in the incident.
Rakim Allen, known professionally as PnB Rock, 30, was dining with his girlfriend when the brazen daytime robbery took place. His girlfriend had shared a location-tagged photo on Instagram, which has since been deleted. Police are exploring the possibility that this social media post alerted the assailant to Rock’s whereabouts.
Details of the Fatal Shooting at Roscoe’s
According to Chief Moore, the suspect confronted PnB Rock and his girlfriend at their table, demanding jewelry and other valuables. A struggle ensued between the rapper and the gunman, culminating in the assailant opening fire.
Captain Kelly Muniz of the LAPD stated that the suspect brandished a firearm inside the popular restaurant and directly targeted Rock. Law enforcement sources revealed to the Los Angeles Times that the rapper was specifically targeted for his jewelry. The incident unfolded rapidly, with the suspect shooting Rock almost immediately after making demands.
“He shot the victim and ran out the side door to a getaway car and then fled the parking lot,” Captain Muniz detailed. PnB Rock was rushed to a local hospital but tragically pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m.
Investigation Underway: Security Footage and Evidence
The Los Angeles Police Department is diligently working to identify the shooter. Investigators are meticulously reviewing security camera footage from inside Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles. They are also canvassing nearby businesses to gather additional security video that might have captured the suspect fleeing the scene, either on foot or in a vehicle.
Muniz confirmed that evidence was being processed from the crime scene Monday night, but declined to specify what was recovered. The investigation is ongoing and actively seeking to bring the perpetrator to justice.
PnB Rock: A Rising Star in Hip-Hop
Born on December 9, 1991, in Philadelphia, Rakim Allen, known to the world as PnB Rock, was a prominent figure in contemporary hip-hop. He credited Drake’s album “Take Care” as his inspiration to pursue music at the age of 19.
PnB Rock distinguished himself with his melodic approach to rap, seamlessly blending singing and rapping, which resonated with a wide audience. His breakthrough came in 2015 with the single “Fleek,” which originated from a viral Vine video and became an anthem. He collaborated with major artists like Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper on the track “Cross Me,” further solidifying his place in the music industry. His hit song “Everyday We Lit” with YFN Lucci reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016, marking a career high for both artists. His song “Selfish” also charted at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. PnB Rock released his latest single, “Luv Me Again,” just weeks before his death, on September 2nd.
Roscoe’s Expresses Condolences
Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles released an official statement expressing their shock and grief over the tragic event that occurred at their restaurant. “We are deeply saddened by the death of Rakim Hasheem Allen, (also known as PnB Rock), an incredible artist in Los Angeles and everywhere,” the restaurant chain stated in an Instagram post.
“His passing represents an enormous loss to each and every one of us. Our most heartfelt condolences, thoughts, and prayers go to the Allen family at this difficult time. The safety of our employees and guests are our utmost priority. We have and will continue to keep our place of business as safe as possible.”
Rising Concerns: “Follow Home” Robberies and Social Media Vulnerability
PnB Rock’s death is occurring amidst growing concerns about robberies and violent crime in Los Angeles, including a trend of “follow home” robberies. In February 2020, Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke was also killed in a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills, with social media posts believed to have played a role in that incident as well.
LAPD statistics for the Southeast Community Police Station, where the shooting happened, show 34 homicides this year through September 3rd, slightly down from 35 in the same period last year. However, robberies in the area have increased by 25.2% during the same timeframe.
PnB Rock’s Own Words: On Robbery and Los Angeles
In a recent podcast interview on “Off the Record with DJ Akademiks” on September 2nd, PnB Rock discussed robbery attempts he had experienced in Los Angeles. He described an incident on Fairfax Avenue where individuals attempted to rob him while he was with his girlfriend and daughter.
He contrasted the criminals in Los Angeles with those from his hometown, noting, “Where I’m from, we like sneaky criminals. In L.A. … they bold.” He and Akademiks discussed the increasing trend of robberies targeting rappers, highlighting the perceived boldness of criminals in Los Angeles.
Ice-T, reacting to PnB Rock’s death, tweeted about rappers in LA choosing not to wear jewelry due to the dangers. PnB Rock himself had stated in the podcast, “I never got robbed, ever in my life… but I haven’t been robbed.” He also expressed that Los Angeles felt “spooky” due to the brazen nature of criminal activity.
PnB Rock reflected on a personal turning point after his older brother’s death, which made him acutely aware of life’s fragility. “It’s just been something in me that just let me know, like this s— real life,” he said. “I done seen people die. I done been around people that died…. Anybody can die.”
Community Mourns and Calls for Change
Community activists have voiced their profound sadness and concern following PnB Rock’s death. Skipp Townsend, a gang interventionist in Los Angeles, emphasized the need for community healing and a comprehensive strategy to deter such violence. “I want to see the community heal. There has to be a more comprehensive strategy to make it clear that taking material items like an expensive watch is not worth more than a life,” Townsend stated.
Townsend highlighted the danger posed to innocent bystanders during the shooting, noting, “This happened while he was actually dining, and that is truly tragic… Arrests don’t stop the violence. Arrests don’t bring closure to families. We need to do a long-term strategy that prevents someone considering such acts.”
The loss of PnB Rock is deeply felt by his family, friends, fans, and the music community. His death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of crime and social media vulnerability in the current landscape, prompting calls for both immediate justice and long-term solutions to prevent future tragedies.
