Wake Held For Busta's Bodyguard, Pressure For Rappers To Come Forward Grows
A wake for the slain bodyguard of rap superstar Busta Rhymes was held yesterday (Feb. 9) in New York.
Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out.
Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between a group of men during a video shoot for the rapper's "Touch It (Remix)."
Although over 500 people were on the set in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, N.Y., authorities are reportedly being hindered in their investigation by the various rappers witnesses have placed at the scene of the crime.
Police hope to get a break in the case this week when they interview a bodyguard who was at the scene of the crime. Police were waiting until Ramirez was laid to rest before talking to the bodyguard.
Busta Rhymes is now drawing criticism for skipping the wake and for his delay in contacting authorities, who are seeking to re-interview him about the shooting on his video set that left Ramirez dead.
The rapper initially told police he was inside the studio with other Hip-Hop artists and celebrities when the shooting took place. But police believe Busta Rhymes was feet away from Ramirez when he was shot.
Ramirez' family members said the rapper admitted to witnessing the murder during a call he placed to express his condolences to the family.
While Busta Rhymes reportedly offered to pay for funeral expenses, he did not attend the wake, where police snipers were stationed nearby on rooftops. His absence at the wake drew the wrath of Ramirez' family members.
Authorities now believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit members spilled out onto the street, where the altercation took place.
On Monday (Feb. 6), Busta Rhymes' manager and Violator CEO Chris Lighty posted a statement on his blog.
"I have to hope that my children or their children will one day know Hip-Hop without the violence," Lighty wrote. "I am sorry and send out my regards to the family of Israel Ramirez. I don't know what happened as I wasn't on the scene, so I won't comment. But it is a sad day when violence erupts and takes anyone's life.
"We have to come together as a people and try to rise above the conflicts we have on the streets of our neighborhoods," Lighty continued. "I am sure that everyone has a comment and the press will blame Hip-Hop and rappers but none of that is the case. Hip-Hop gave the opportunity for all these great stars to come together for this."
Reports suggested Busta Rhymes was simply trying to make peace on the street when the altercation turned deadly.
After the argument escalated, a man believed to be an associate of Tony Yayo's allegedly fired at least 8 shots, striking Ramirez once and killing him.
Police believe Ramirez attempted to grab the gun as the trigger man opened fire near Busta Rhymes.
Yayo, of Queens, N.Y., released his major label debut Thoughts Of A Predict Felon in Aug. 2005. The album has sold almost 500,000 copies, powered by the hit single "So Seductive," featuring 50 Cent.
Sources stated that police believe the gunman is an associate of Tony Yayo's from Brooklyn. Authorities believe the gunman escaped in a car with the rapper, who has refused to speak to police via his lawyer, Scott Leemon.
According to reports, authorities considered checking to see if the rapper violated his probation in order to detain and question him but later ruled out the option.
Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out.
Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between a group of men during a video shoot for the rapper's "Touch It (Remix)."
Although over 500 people were on the set in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, N.Y., authorities are reportedly being hindered in their investigation by the various rappers witnesses have placed at the scene of the crime.
Police hope to get a break in the case this week when they interview a bodyguard who was at the scene of the crime. Police were waiting until Ramirez was laid to rest before talking to the bodyguard.
Busta Rhymes is now drawing criticism for skipping the wake and for his delay in contacting authorities, who are seeking to re-interview him about the shooting on his video set that left Ramirez dead.
The rapper initially told police he was inside the studio with other Hip-Hop artists and celebrities when the shooting took place. But police believe Busta Rhymes was feet away from Ramirez when he was shot.
Ramirez' family members said the rapper admitted to witnessing the murder during a call he placed to express his condolences to the family.
While Busta Rhymes reportedly offered to pay for funeral expenses, he did not attend the wake, where police snipers were stationed nearby on rooftops. His absence at the wake drew the wrath of Ramirez' family members.
Authorities now believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit members spilled out onto the street, where the altercation took place.
On Monday (Feb. 6), Busta Rhymes' manager and Violator CEO Chris Lighty posted a statement on his blog.
"I have to hope that my children or their children will one day know Hip-Hop without the violence," Lighty wrote. "I am sorry and send out my regards to the family of Israel Ramirez. I don't know what happened as I wasn't on the scene, so I won't comment. But it is a sad day when violence erupts and takes anyone's life.
"We have to come together as a people and try to rise above the conflicts we have on the streets of our neighborhoods," Lighty continued. "I am sure that everyone has a comment and the press will blame Hip-Hop and rappers but none of that is the case. Hip-Hop gave the opportunity for all these great stars to come together for this."
Reports suggested Busta Rhymes was simply trying to make peace on the street when the altercation turned deadly.
After the argument escalated, a man believed to be an associate of Tony Yayo's allegedly fired at least 8 shots, striking Ramirez once and killing him.
Police believe Ramirez attempted to grab the gun as the trigger man opened fire near Busta Rhymes.
Yayo, of Queens, N.Y., released his major label debut Thoughts Of A Predict Felon in Aug. 2005. The album has sold almost 500,000 copies, powered by the hit single "So Seductive," featuring 50 Cent.
Sources stated that police believe the gunman is an associate of Tony Yayo's from Brooklyn. Authorities believe the gunman escaped in a car with the rapper, who has refused to speak to police via his lawyer, Scott Leemon.
According to reports, authorities considered checking to see if the rapper violated his probation in order to detain and question him but later ruled out the option.
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