R.I.P. Chinx
New York rapper and Coke Boys affiliate Lionel “Chinx” Pickens was shot and killed while driving down Queens Boulevard on Sunday morning. The 31-year-old rapper died from multiple gunshot wounds and his unidentified 27-year-old passenger is critically injured.
MTV News reports that at approximately 4AM, the police responded to a 911 call and found Chinx and his passenger near Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive in Briarwood, Queens. Chinx and his passenger were rushed to Jamaica Hospital where Chinx was pronounced dead. His passenger is currently in the hospital in critical but stable condition.
According to The New York Daily News, eyewitness reports say the shooter sped off after unleashing a volley of at least seven shots on the victim’s silver Porsche. The police have made no arrests.
A member of French Montana’s Coke Boys crew and record label, Chinx is best known for his Cocaine Riot mixtape series that spawned singles like 2012’s “I’m A Coke Boy” and 2014’s “Feelings”:
His management team and publicist issued a statement via Legion Media Group’s Instagram confirming reports and mourning the loss.
Coke Boys also posted a statement on Facebook expressing their sadness:
We are very sadden at the loss of our brother chinx. please keep his family & friends in your prayers.
Posted by Coke Boys Music on Sunday, May 17, 2015
UPDATE: As XXL points out, Rockaway news source ontherockaway.com reports that three men have been arrested in Far Rockaway today, rumored to be connected to Chinx’s murder. Though he was shot in Queens, the rapper was a resident of Far Rockaway, and according to the site’s sources these men may be connected to the incident.
The rapper’s family also posted a statement via Chinx’s Instagram:
And the other passenger from the shooting has come forward, it is Coke Boys affiliate Yemen Cheese. He posted two Instagram photos, one of himself in the hospital and an old photo of him and Chinx together:
We will continue to update this story as it develops.