Rapper JayDaYoungan was shot dead by five men who ambushed him while he and his father sat outside their Louisiana home.
The musician, whose real name was Javorius Scott, was shot at least eight times, according to his father, Kenyatta Scott, who was shot twice in the arm.
Speaking to TMZ, Scott shared how he and his 24-year-old son were sitting on the front lawn of their Bogalusa home on Wednesday night when a black truck pulled up in front of them and three people with guns jumped out.
Scott said as he and his son attempted to flee to their home, they were met with guns by two other people who opened fire on them.
The father had his own gun and fired back at the attackers. JayDaYoungan was hospitalized with severe blood loss and died there after undergoing surgery. His father remains in hospital in stable condition.
Despite Scott’s statements, police said they were only looking for a shooter and had not yet identified any suspects. Bogalusa Police Chief Kendall Bullen told TMZ that his department is investigating all motives for the shooting, including gang-related activities.
JayDaYoungan was signed to Atlantic Records in 2017. He was only released from prison in June on gun-related charges.
JayDaYoungan, 24, real name Javorius Scott, died after being shot dead outside the Bogalusa home, along with a male relative, Kenyatta Scott Sr., police confirmed
Police announced that JayDaYoungan had died just before midnight. Scott Sr. – who is reportedly the rapper’s father – is said to be in stable condition
Police outside JayDaYoungan’s Louisiana home after the shooting. The rapper’s blue car can be seen in the driveway
The rapper’s father said he didn’t think the attack was gang-related and claimed his son had never been at odds with anyone.
Instead, Scott said he thinks the attack was fueled by jealousy, that the person behind the attack was jealous of his son’s success.
Scott said he hoped his son would be remembered as a “good, humble and respectful kid.”
JayDaJoungan’s grandfather, LC Jefferson, told WDSU that the family is determined to find the killers.
“No stone will be left unturned until we find out who kidnapped him,” he said.
“That’s just what I’m hearing. Someone came out from behind the house wearing a ski mask and shot him. In broad daylight. On a busy road. People have gotten so comfortable they think they can shoot someone without getting caught.”
Police outside JayDayYoungan’s home after he was shot dead on Wednesday night
The rapper’s father said he didn’t think the attack was gang-related and claimed his son had never been at odds with anyone
Instead, Scott said he thinks the attack was fueled by jealousy, that the person behind the attack was jealous of his son’s success
JayDaJoungan’s grandfather, LC Jefferson (above), told WDSU that the family was determined to find the killers
Two other shootings, which left no one injured, took place nearby the same night. Police say they were connected to the attack that killed JayDaYoungan but have given no further details.
Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette urged community members to be vigilant to put an end to local violence.
“The senseless shooting in Bogalusa [is] another tragic reminder of the pain that violent crime brings,” she said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. As your mayor and as a mother, I plead on behalf of our community and for our children: Enough has to mean today, it’s finally enough. Stop the violence! See something, say something.”
JayDaYoungan faced five years in prison on the gun charges but was released in June and served time credited
JayDaYoungan was signed to Atlantic Records in 2017. He had collaborated with rappers like Lil Durk, Boosie Badazz, Moneybagg Yo and Lato
In October 2021, police caught JayDaYoungan with a 9mm handgun, which he was banned from carrying due to charges of assaulting a pregnant woman and illegal possession of oxycodone.
He faced five years in prison on the gun charges but was released last month and served time credited.
JayDaYoungan was out on $175,000 bail at the time following a Sept. 21 arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and obstructing justice.
This arrest followed an incident in August 2020 in which a gunman fired a gun in a crowd of about 100 people, accidentally killing a 21-year-old. It’s unclear if JayDaYoungan was connected to the shooting.
The rapper was the proud father of a young son, of whom he often shared photos on his Instagram account
The rapper was the proud father of a young son, of whom he often shared photos on his Instagram account.
In his last Instagram post – a day ago – JayDaYoungan rapped while dancing and playing with his son.
JayDaYoungan’s most notable singles are Opps, 23 Island and Elimination. His 2019 album Misunderstood reached #43 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
After dropping out of high school at 18 to pursue music, the rapper found early success posting his music on YouTube and promoting himself on social media.
JayDaYoungan was signed to Atlantic Records in 2017. He had collaborated with rappers like Lil Durk, Boosie Badazz, Moneybagg Yo and Lato.
It’s unclear how much money the 24-year-old has made in his brief career, but a 2021 Atlantic Records press release says he’s amassed at least 2.8 billion streams from around the world.