Young Scooter Dead After Fleeing Police In Southeast Atlanta

We are sad to report that ATL rapper Young Scooter reportedly died today (Mar. 28) as he celebrated his 39th birthday.

FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Atlanta Police responded to a 911 call about a dispute involving a weapon on William Nye Drive in Southeast Atlanta. Officers were dispatched to the street’s 200 block after reports of gunfire and a woman being dragged into a residence.

Lt. Andrew Smith, commander of Atlanta’s homicide unit, said that when officers arrived, a man opened the door and immediately shut the door on the officers.

More from FOX 5:

Police then set up a perimeter around the home. As officers surrounded the area, two men fled from the back of the residence. One of them returned to the house. The other man jumped two fences before being found injured nearby.

“He appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg,” Smith said. “Officers rendered aid and he was transported to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.”

Lt. Smith also addressed rumors that police were involved in any shooting in the area.

“The Atlanta Police Department has not been involved in any shootings tonight and the incident on William Nye—no one was—there was not a shooting at all. Just to be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on scene.”

Police would later identify the victim as Scooter, whose real name was Kenneth Bailey.

Fellow ATL rappers Playboi Carti and Ralo paid tribute to Scooter on social media.

Raised in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood, Young Scooter was among the first artists to sign with Future’s Freebandz imprint in 2012. He jointly signed with Waka Flocka Flame’s Brick Squad Monopoly one year later.

He first gained notable recognition with his Street Lottery mixtape (2012), led by the single “Colombia.” The track became a regional hit, with rappers Rick Ross, Birdman, and Gucci Mane hopping on the remix.

Scooter would later earn his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with his guest feature on Future and Juice Wrld’s “Jet Lag.” The track peaked at #72 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Scooter would go on to release 20 mixtapes within the course of his career, making a lasting impact on Atlanta’s Hip-Hop scene. His contributions to the game will never be forgotten.

This is a developing story.

Check Out Our Throwback Interview With Young Scooter From 2013