Young Scooter's Funeral Held In Atlanta, Rapper To Be Buried In South Carolina
Emotions ran deep in Atlanta on Monday (April 7) as family, friends, and fans gathered to mourn the loss of rapper Young Scooter, who tragically died on his 39th birthday. The funeral service, held at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta, brought the city together in remembrance of a life that ended far too soon.
Various sources captured poignant scenes from the somber occasion, showing Scooter's casket carried by devastated loved ones as mourners looked on. The ceremony, though heavy with emotion, was also a celebration of the beloved rapper who helped shape Atlanta's sound.
In a symbolic tribute to peace, hope, and freedom, white doves were also released into the sky following the service. To finalize his departure from this world, Young Scooter, neé Kenneth Edward Rashaad Bailey, will be buried in Walterboro, South Carolina, where his journey began.
Scooter's death unfolded after a chaotic and tragic sequence of events that began with a 911 'swatter' call placed by Demi Blanco (born Demetria Spencer), a reality star known from Zeus Network's Baddies. Spencer has since been under public scrutiny for what authorities say was a false report. In her initial call, she claimed to be part of the 'Neighborhood Watch' and reported seeing a 'naked and bloody' woman being assaulted outside a home in Atlanta's Lakewood Heights neighborhood. That call prompted an immediate police response to the home, where Young Scooter had been present.
When officers arrived, they reported seeing Bailey attempt to flee. While trying to scale a wooden fence, he suffered a severe arterial injury to his thigh. The Fulton County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death as 'accidental' due to blood loss from that injury. Police have since emphasized they never discharged their firearms or used force. 'While we understand that many people are saddened by his passing, it is important to recognize that Atlanta police officers neither discharged their firearms nor used any force against Mr. Bailey,' the department said in a statement.
Audio from the 911 call later revealed Spencer struggled to provide a clear description of the alleged assailant, and responding officers found no evidence to support her claims. On April 1, Spencer attempted to explain herself during an Instagram Live, saying, 'There's a reaction for every action. This is part A, you guys didn't have part A, you guys only had part B.' She continued, 'In the narrative it looks like I'm trying to set this man up. I'm giving you what led up to the call. I was physically abused, so I called to protect myself. I never had any intentions to get anybody hurt.'
Spencer was arrested for making the false emergency report. She was charged and subsequently released on a $7,500 bond.
The family of Young Scooter released a statement to VIBE expressing their devastation and the need for clarity. 'We are completely devastated by the loss of Kenneth 'Young Scooter' Bailey and are currently still waiting for more information to understand the circumstance,' the statement read. 'Young Scooter was more than just a Hip-Hop artist; he was a phenomenal father and mentor to a lot of Atlanta youth pursuing both sports and music. Scooter was their advocate and support system. He always encouraged his children and the youth to pursue their dreams no matter what.'
The message concluded with: 'The family is grateful for the outpouring of support and love from the city and all over the country. At this time, they are requesting privacy and prayers as they grieve and wait for answers.'
See footage from the heartbreaking occasion above.
More from VIBE.com
Young Scooter Dies On 39th Birthday, Hip-Hop Community Reacts
Atlanta Community Celebrates Young Scooter's Life With Balloon Release Vigil
"Swatter" In Young Scooter's "Accidental" Death Contradicts Her Initial 911 Call While On Live
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Neglected Mom Dog 'Gave Everything' So Puppies Could Live—Now It's Her Turn
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom dog rescued in an alarming state of neglect, having given everything to make sure her puppies survived, is seeking a forever home to call her own. An estimated 10 million animals die from abuse each year in the U.S., according to Shelter Animals Count, a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and sharing data on animal sheltering. When Deb was first spotted wandering around outside the home of one of the foster carers at Shultz's Guest House (SGH), a dog rescue shelter located in Dedham, Massachusetts, it was obvious she needed help. "She was emaciated and clearly nursing. One of her puppies was seen wandering alongside her," Merrill Fortier, from SGH, told Newsweek. "We later discovered that the person responsible for her care hadn't been feeding her or her litter, who were about 7 or 8 weeks old at the time. Deb was starving, and her milk was the only thing keeping her babies alive." According to Fortier, Deb's owner was a "known drug user" who did little to care for his canine companion. "Deb had been left to survive on her own. Her owner had told our foster that the filthy mattress by the side of the road was 'her bed,'" she said. "Despite all this, she held on through the hardships. She's only 2 or 3 years old, but what she's endured is unimaginable." Aware there were likely more puppies around the property, the foster carer asked the man living with Deb and her pups to willingly surrender all of the dogs as it would "be in their best interest." He agreed and, soon enough, Deb and her puppies were taken away. It was good timing. "Just four days later, their owner's house was destroyed in a meth-related fire," Fortier said. All of the dogs have made incredible progress in the time since their rescue. Having nursed them through such a difficult period, Deb has now watched each and every one of her puppies get adopted. Fortier would like to see the same happen with Deb. "She's great with other dogs, adores people including kids, and carries herself with confidence," Fortier said. "Her strength and gentle heart shine through and there's no trace of bitterness in her." As a video posted to the shultzsguest Instagram detailing her journey account sums up best, Deb "gave everything" so that her puppies could survive and ultimately thrive despite such difficult beginnings. Now it's her turn. "Mama dogs like Deb are among the most resilient and loving we encounter," Fortier said. "As a pit bull, she also stands as a reminder of how misunderstood these dogs still are even though they make the most loyal, affectionate family pets."
New York Post
13 hours ago
- New York Post
Grieving parents awarded $2.25M after Georgia doctor plastered videos of their decapitated baby on social media
A Georgia couple whose baby was decapacitated during childbirth was awarded a $2.25 million verdict after their pathologist posted graphic autopsy videos on social media without their consent. Dr. Jackson Gates and his Atlanta-based business will have to fork over the large sum to Jessica Ross and Traveon Taylor Sr. after a Fulton County jury found him liable of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and fraud on Wednesday. 'This young couple trusted him with the remains of their precious baby,' attorney's for the grieving parents said, noting that the doctor 'poured salt into the couple's already deep wounds.' 3 Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor Sr., parents of a baby who was decapitated during childbirth. AP 'Gates, in turn, repaid this trust by posting horrific images of their child for the world to see.' The heartbroken couple hired the twisted doctor to perform an autopsy on their deceased newborn two days after their obstetrician allegedly applied excessive force to the baby's neck when its shoulders became stuck in Ross's pelvic area, causing it to detach during the traumatic July 2023 delivery. 3 The traumatic delivery occurred at Southern Regional Medical Center in July 2023. ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The baby's head was delivered vaginally, but the rest of the body was removed via C-section. The death was later ruled a homicide. Gates posted numerous videos and photos to his Instagram later that month, showing the grisly postmortem examination of their infants 'decapitated, severed head,' the couple said in their lawsuit. The deranged pathologist initially removed the footage after receiving a letter from the couple's attorney — but later reposted them, according to the lawsuit. 3 The couple was awarded $2.25 million in a lawsuit against their pathologist. AP Gates' attorney, Ira Livant, said his client typically documents his autopsy's on social media to educate fellow pathologists and highlight the importance of independent examinations in cases where families suspect medical misconduct. 'Dr. Gates testified that he is deeply sorry for any harm that he unintentionally caused the plaintiffs,' Livant said Saturday. 'Had he known for one second that they would see that and that they would know it was their child, he would never have done it.' The couple will receive $2 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages from Gates and his company, Medical Diagnostics Choices, per the judgement. The bereaved parents have separate lawsuits pending against the delivering doctor and the Riverdale hospital where the horrific incident took place. With Post wires.
Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Irvine animal trainer and his girlfriend arrested in connection with death of 10 dogs
An Irvine animal trainer and his girlfriend were arrested Thursday night after police connected the couple to the death of at least 10 dogs — with nine believed to have perished on a single day. Kwong 'Tony' Chun Sit, 53, of Irvine, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and destruction of evidence, according to the Irvine Police Department. Sit's girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23, of Vista, was arrested on suspicion of the same charges. Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a pet owner reached out to the Irvine Police Department to report that their dog trainer sent a message saying their dog had died in its sleep and had been cremated, according to a news release. 'The one family reached out to us [and] thought it was kind of suspicious that their healthy dog died with this trainer,' said Kyle Oldoerp, a spokeperson for the Irvine Police Department. The department's Animal Services Unit began investigating and quickly realized it wasn't a single dog. The tally rose to 10, and officials are searching for more potential victims. One dog died last week and was cremated, with the remains now with the family, Oldoerp said. It appears nine other dogs died on or around Wednesday, according to Oldoerp. The deceased dogs were taken to multiple crematoriums and Oldoerp said he believed police were able to retrieve all of their bodies. Irvine police said they are working with veterinary professionals to perform necropsies to determine how the dogs died. 'If they all died of an accidental poisoning, or something that was all the same, then it's like, OK, maybe this is accidental,' Oldoerp said. 'But if it's not, and they're different causes, then that could take us down a different path.' Even if the deaths are determined to be accidental, it doesn't mean the charges will be dropped. Oldoerp likened the situation to a parent endangering a child's welfare by leaving them in a car — without malicious intent. 'He's still responsible for the well-being of these animals,' he said. Oldoerp added that it appears the couple sought to destroy evidence by attempting to cremate the dogs. According to Irvine police, Sit worked throughout Southern California under different company names, including 'Happy K9 Academy.' Owners of dogs that appear to have died while in Sit's care took to Instagram to call for justice for their dogs. Aimee Gutierrez said on Instagram that her family rescued a 9-month-old Belgian Malinois three weeks ago from the pound and named her Saint. According toa Thursday post, they sent Saint to a trainer but were informed by text that she had passed away. 'Saint deserved better,' she wrote. 'She was supposed to come home to a life of love, safety and second chances. I will never stop fighting for her — and for the other animals whose voices were taken away too soon.' Those who have information related to the case or whose dog died in the care of trainer Sit are asked to contact rsteen@
