Rapper Beanie Sigel, whose real name is Dwight Grant, was shot this morning in Pleasantville, New Jersey. A single bullet entered his abdomen and exited via his back. He was in critical condition, according to Pleasantville Chief Jose Ruiz.
Philly.com reports that Sigel was found inside a home on the 800 block of Spruce Ave. A around 9:30 this morning. Another injured man was found at the home as well.
Chief Ruiz said investigators were waiting to question Beanie Sigel about the shooting. The second man, who refused medical treatment, was believed to be a friend or relative of Sigel’s.
“He hasn’t offered anything,” Ruiz said, “and we’re waiting for Mr. Sigel to be able to speak to us.”
Both ammunition and bullet casings were found outside the home where the shootings took place.
Beanie Sigel’s attorney, Fortunato “Fred” Perri Jr., said the rapper lives in Pleasantville, and was shot after he returned home from taking his children to school.
“From what I’ve heard, he was not the intended target,” Perri said.
UPDATE: Beanie Sigel out of surgery and sedated after shooting, officials say. He remains in critical condition. http://t.co/oanegE1liN
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) December 5, 2014
Sigel has reportedly been considering a return to the music business, and was set to take part in an upcoming concert, Perri added.
“He’s certainly matured from some of the things that he was involved with when he was much younger,” the attorney said. “I’m a bit heartbroken. He seemed like he was about to start moving his life in the right direction.”
Photos on Sigel’s Instagram account this week showed the rapper recording in a small sound studio and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.
“I’m working #dontpanic #TheReturn .. @shakurmac @phillyfreeway,” Sigel captioned one of the photos.
Beanie Sigel, who is 40, has a long history of breaking the law. In 2003 he was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault after allegedly firing six shots at a nightclub door. Two people were injured during that incident. He was later acquitted of all charges. In 2005, he served 10 months in prison on weapons counts.
This past August he moved to a halfway house after serving a two-year federal prison term for tax evasion. Beanie Sigel had been scheduled to be released from the halfway house tomorrow.
Two weeks before he was scheduled to report to the federal prison–just hours following the release of his sixth album, This Time, Beanie Sigel was arrested on drug and gun charges during a traffic stop in Delaware County. He pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled substance.
Hopefully Sigel will emerge from this shooting without any horrific injuries. Perhaps he can help authorities determine who is responsible for the shootings.
What is it with rappers and shootings anyway? This is way more than just a coincidence–don’t you think?
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