October 18, 2006

Fabolous Shot And Arrested In New York

By Gil Kaufman (MTV.com)

In a bizarre sequence of events, New York rapper Fabolous was shot in the leg early Tuesday morning (October 17) as he stood in a Manhattan parking garage, was arrested and then transported to a hospital for treatment.

Fabolous (born John Jackson) was shot once in the right thigh by an unidentified man who approached the MC and three members of his crew and opened fire shortly after the group left an NFL players' event at Diddy's downtown restaurant, Justin's, according to New York Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Mike Wysokowski.

Following the hail of gunfire, Fabolous and the other three men hopped into a white Dodge Magnum and sped away, running a red light one block away from the scene of the shooting, which attracted the attention of police responding to the call of shots fired. Wysokowski said the officers stopped the car found two unlicensed, loaded guns -- a 9mm and .40 caliber handgun -- during a search, which led to the arrest of all four men. Charges have not yet been filed, but Wysokowski said they will likely include criminal possession of a weapon.

As police continue to search for the shooter, Fabolous was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was in stable condition. A Def Jam Records spokesperson could not be reached for comment at press time.

In March 2003, Fabolous was arrested and charged with criminal weapons possession after police stopped a van he was riding in and found a loaded 9mm gun. At the time, the rapper said he planned to sue the city for $5 million for what he claimed was damage to his career; one of his bodyguards later provided proof of ownership for the gun. Wysokowski explained that in New York anyone found in a vehicle with unlicensed firearms is considered to be "in possession" of that firearm.