Cops Break Up Queensbridge Vigil For Local Rapper Kiing Shooter

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — Police took three people into custody after a crowd of people flocked outside Queensbridge Houses Tuesday to the mourn the reported death of Kiing Shooter, a 24-year-old rapper from the public housing complex, according to police and a family friend.

The NYPD showed up at 40th Avenue and 10th Street just before 2 p.m. to break up a crowd of about 75 people gathered for an unofficial vigil in honor of the rapper, a police spokesperson told Patch.

The crowd then moved to Queensbridge Park, where police handcuffed three people who refused orders to disperse, according to the NYPD. Charges are pending.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned mass gatherings in March under a statewide stay-at-home order meant to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The NYPD is enforcing the rules, which call on New Yorkers to stay at least six feet apart from one another.

At least 30, maybe 40 cops plus special operations are crowded in Queensbridge Park, plus 20 cop cars and a couple of helicopters. They closed the park. Apparently a group of people are congregated.
Why does everything have to be a huge show of force?? #NYPD pic.twitter.com/A0orWvTqtv
— CJ Wojtkowski 정 (@Tellythecairn) May 5, 2020

Kiing Shooter, who was signed to a record label founded by celebrated rapper Nas and his brother Jungle, was in the hospital for liver problems before he died, according to the blog HipHopDx.

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The label, Street Dreams Records, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Queensbridge residents started congregating outside the NYCHA complex Tuesday morning to play the rapper's music and mourn, Lashawn "Suga Ray" Marston told Patch.

"A lot of people at Queensbridge had a personal relationship with him," said Marston, a Queensbridge resident who went to school with the rapper's older sister and knew him since he was a child. "He loved his community and wanted all of us to do better and be out of the street life."

"It completely took the whole neighborhood by surprise," he said.

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This Can’t Be Life I Said Henny Was Stronger Than The Rona I Ain’t Kno It Was That Strong No More Drinkin For Me
A post shared by FTD IMA QUEENSBRIDGE BABY (@kiingshooter) on Apr 24, 2020 at 4:38pm PDT