The gunman who killed PnB Rock at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles restaurant in South Los Angeles demanded jewelry and other valuables before getting into a fight with the rapper and opening fire, the Los Angeles police chief said Tuesday. Michel Moore.
Moore said Monday’s attack occurred shortly after the rapper was tagged online as if he was at the restaurant, and police are investigating whether that was what prompted the attack.
Rock, 30, whose real name was Rakim Allen, had been at the restaurant with his girlfriend, who had posted a photo with the location tagged in an Instagram post that was later deleted.
He “was with his family, with his girlfriend or some kind of friend of his, and since they are there, enjoying a simple meal, [he] was brutally attacked by an individual who apparently [came] to the location after a post on social media,” Moore said.
Police Capt. Kelly Muniz said a suspect brandished a firearm at the restaurant and demanded items from the victim. Sources told The Times that Rock was targeted for his jewelry.
The assailant shot Rock almost immediately during the robbery, Muniz said.
“He shot the victim and ran out the side door into a getaway car and then fled the parking lot,” she said.
Muniz said the victim was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m.
According to a law enforcement source, Los Angeles Police Department investigators are reviewing security video from inside the restaurant to identify the shooter. They are also checking surrounding businesses to see if security systems captured any images of the assailant leaving on foot or in a vehicle.
Investigators were processing evidence Monday night, Muniz said. She declined to comment on what she recovered from.
Rock was born on December 9, 1991 in Philadelphia. He told Paper magazine that he was inspired to make music at age 19 after listening to Drake’s decade-defining album, “Take Care.”
Rock’s ability to mix melodies with his rap made him a natural choice for the next evolution of hip-hop. He rose to national prominence with the 2015 single “Fleek,” turning the viral Vine video into an anthem for grooming women across the country. He went on to collaborate with a bevy of artists, including Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper on “Cross Me.”
One of his biggest moments was alongside Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci, when the two joined forces in 2016 for the hit anthem “Everyday We Lit.” The song peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting song for either artist.
“It’s like, how do you label yourself, when you’re still infusing rap into your s-?” he told Paper Magazine in 2017. “People can’t say I’m a rapper, but I don’t feel like a singer either. I’m not hitting super high notes and going crazy. I can’t give you the Chris Brown song. I only have good melodies.”
“Selfish” peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rock released her latest song “Luv Me Again” on September 2.
Roscoe’s released a statement Monday expressing shock at the murder at his restaurant.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rakim Hasheem Allen, (also known as PnB Rock), an incredible artist in Los Angeles and everywhere,” the network said in a post on Instagram.
“His passing represents a huge loss for each and every one of us. Our sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Allen family at this difficult time. The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority. We have and will continue to keep our workplace as safe as possible.”
Rock’s death comes as authorities say they are facing a growing trend of “follow-home” robberies and other violent incidents.
In February 2020, Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was killed during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills.
Authorities believe social media posts, including one of a black gift bag labeled with his address, led the assailants to his location.
The LAPD’s Southeast Community Police Station, which covers the area where Monday’s shooting occurred, has seen 34 homicides this year through Sept. 3, compared to 35 during the same period last year.
The statistics also noted a 25.2% increase in robberies during that period, from 373 to 467
Rock discussed previous robbery attempts in Los Angeles during a Sept. 2 episode of the “Off the Record with DJ Akademiks” podcast.
The rapper said he was with his girlfriend and his daughter on Fairfax Avenue “in the middle of a pandemic” when people tried to rob him.
“Where I’m from, we like cunning criminals,” Rock said. “In Los Angeles…they are bold.”
Rock and the host talked about how robberies against rappers seemed to be becoming more common.
“I’ve never been robbed, never in my life,” Rock said. “I’m not going to say never because I don’t like to say never. I’m not superstitious, but I haven’t been robbed.”
“That’s why I feel like Los Angeles is creepy, man,” Akademiks said. “It’s so bold. I’m watching crazy videos, like they don’t even do it at night. Maybe like the night, but in broad daylight, that’s when they really do it.”
Rock said that after his older brother was killed, he changed: he became more nervous and aware of how suddenly a situation could turn deadly.
“There’s just been something in me that let me know, like this s—real life,” Rock said. “I have seen people die. I’ve been around people who died… Anyone can die.
Some community activists expressed shock at the killing.
“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,” said Skipp Townsend, a veteran Los Angeles gang interventionist.
He said the gunman could have killed as many people in the lunch crowd.
“This happened while he was eating dinner, and that’s really tragic,” Townsend said. “Arrests do not stop the violence. Arrests do not bring closure to families. We need to make a long-term strategy that prevents anyone from considering such acts.”