Just days after the tragic passing of Texas rapper G$ Lil Ronnie and his 5-year-old daughter, R’mani Sibley, controversy erupted around Shamon Jones, R’mani’s mother. Videos online show Jones celebrating at the balloon release memorial, dancing with money piles, and waving around a luxury handbag. On the sidelines stands an assault rifle-carrying security guard. The spectacle has polarized the public, with many people expressing outrage at the actions by the mother in light of such tragic circumstances.
On March 3, 2025, 30-year-old hip-hop musician G$ Lil Ronnie (née Ronnie Sibley) and his young daughter were both killed when they were both shot at Slappy’s Express Car Wash in Forest Hill, Texas. Police have confirmed the violence was targeted, with two suspects, Jakobie Russell (21) and Adonis Robinson (24), who are at the moment in custody for the charges against them.
The hip-hop community was quick to react with shock and sadness. Fellow artists, like Soulja Boy, tweeted heartfelt tributes, mourning the loss of a bright star. But while the community was grieving together, the talk soon shifted to how Jones grieved—and it was not what everyone expected.
Jones took to social media to talk about her loss in the days following the shooting. During a three-hour Instagram livestream, viewers were shocked at what she had to say.
“Yeah, y’all, I’m not gonna be dishonest with you—I grieve a little differently, Y’all got my baby, but I’m not trippin’ about it. He give ’em and he take ’em. We all gotta die.”
Where everyone else expected the typical somber grieving, Jones’s response to the tragedy was anything but normal. In days, she launched a GoFundMe page, asking for $50,000 to cover funeral costs and to provide for the survivor. But shortly afterward, she danced with rolls of cash at a memorial balloon release event and carried around an expensive purse. A security guard with an assault rifle stood by, adding to the surrealistic scene.
Footage of the event soon went viral on the internet, causing heated debates. Critics accused Jones of insensitivity for asking for money when she seemed splurged. Others mentioned her tearful social media posts, in which she said, “I grieve differently,” and asked people to please not judge how she was coping.
Fueling the controversy further, Jones herself gave contradictory signals. While demanding privacy and asking people to stop sharing recordings of the final moments of her daughter, Jones live-streamed on social media regarding the case. She accused the shooting of being a “paid hit” and even proposed suspects during one such livestream. Her public presence contributed to the criticism, with some demanding Jones go offline to mourn privately.
The backlash increased when Jones made open funeral pronouncements. She declared that the daughter would be buried in a custom Gucci gown and Lil Ronnie in Prada. It raised eyebrows, especially among the fundraiser donors. Some questioned whether the money was going towards the funeral or if Jones was taking it for herself to spend on luxuries.
YouTube channels and online forums dissected the story, with titles like “Lil Ronnie Baby Mama Flexes GoFundMe Money” getting hundreds of thousands of hits. Some believe that she is flaunting money that is hers in the first place, while others claim that she is abusing donated money. Jones responded,
“I don’t care about a GoFundMe. I’ve been doing money my way.”
This raises the broader question: How do public officials handle mourning? There is no correct way to mourn, but Jones’s scrutiny highlights the fine line between personal expression and public opinion. Grieving is complex, and every step is dissected under the microscope in the internet age. Jones remains at the center of public opinion throughout the investigation into the murders.
Although authorities never implicated Jones in the crime, the suggestion that the assault was a “paid hit” adds another layer to the investigation. Meanwhile, by accident or by intent, her presence on social media continues to shape the public’s opinion regarding her.
