The 911 call that resulted in the fatal death of Atlanta-based rapper Young Scooter, whose real name was Kenneth Bailey, has been released by the Atlanta Police Department. The 911 call made to report shots and a violent fight on William Nye Drive in Southeast Atlanta is under investigation to see if it was a “swatting” hoax—a false emergency call made to provoke a response from the authorities.
In the recently released tape, a caller identifying themselves as part of the “neighborhood watch” called to report a violent altercation in progress. The caller said that there was a bleeding female who was being dragged back into a house forcibly and that a child may be in danger. The caller also mentioned illegal drugs being used at the scene.
The authorities found no immediate evidence to substantiate these claims upon reaching the scene. The door had briefly been opened and then shut when officers arrived at the house. Two men attempted to flee from the scene shortly thereafter. Young Scooter received a severe leg injury in his attempt to flee through fences. He was subsequently taken to Grady Marcus Trauma Center and succumbed to his injuries.
The authorities have confirmed that the officers didn’t fire shots during the encounter. The cause of death will be determined in detail through an autopsy. The investigators have initiated tracing the origin of the 911 call and have offered a reward of $5,000 to find the caller. Young Scooter was a well-known name among the Atlanta rap community. Born Kenneth Edward Bailey, he came up in the early 2010s as one of the first signees to Future’s label, Freebandz. He made his mark in Southern hip-hop with his 2013 mixtape Free Bricks 2 with Gucci Mane.
He dropped well over two dozen mixtapes throughout his career and worked with mainstream rappers including Young Thug, Meek Mill, and Quavo. His influence went beyond his music because he was not only well-known because of his gritty storytelling ability but because he had a strong connection to the hip-hop culture in Atlanta.
Following his death being made public, tributes poured in from the entire music community. Playboi Carti and Meek Mill were among the artists who took to social media to share heartfelt tributes to Young Scooter and his influence and legacy. Individuals flocked to his neighborhood in Atlanta to put up candles and play his songs in his honor.
Scooter was not only an artist; he was a voice of the streets,” wrote long-time partner and fellow rapper Gucci Mane in a social media post. “R.I.P., brother.”
Atlanta Police Commander Lt. Andrew Smith made a public statement to the media and stated,
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Bailey’s family and associates. We’re aggressively working the incident in conjunction with the 911 call and will prosecute to the fullest extent anyone found to be involved in a false call.”
The authorities are presently attempting to trace the person who made the 911 call to ascertain if the hoax call played a role in the tragic event. If the call turns out to be a “swatting” hoax, the perpetrator will be facing serious legal penalties.
