Atlanta-area rapper and reality TV star Benzino was shot on his way to his mother's funeral service after an altercation with a relative Saturday in Massachusetts.
Born Raymond Scott, the 48-year-old former owner of the premiere hip hop magazine The Source was wounded after an argument broke out between family members in the funeral procession making its way through the streets of Duxbury just before noon.
Police arrested Benzino's nephew, 36-year-old Gai Scott, in connection to the shooting.
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Gunned down: Atlanta rapper Benzino was shot three times while driving in the funeral procession for his mother in Duxbury, Massachusetts
Bloody scene: Witnesses reported seeing blood stains on the hearse and limo in the motorcade after the shooting
According to sources, at one point during the procession, the suspect pulled up in his Bentley next to Benzino's red Dodge SUV and opened fire, striking him three times.
The hip hop artist-turned-cast member of the show Love and Hip Hop Atlanta was taken to South Shore Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, the station WHDH reported. His condition has been described as stable.
Relatives said that Benzino and his nephew have been at odds for some time, and the hostility between the two men came to a head during the funeral for the rapper's mother, Mary Scott, who passed away March 20.
According to authorities, gunfire erupted on Route 3 southbound near Exit 11 in Duxbury at 11.55am.
Followng the shooting, the funeral procession resumed, ending at St Peter's Church in Plymouth shortly before noon, WCVB reported.
Followng the shooting, the funeral procession resumed, ending at St Peter's Church in Plymouth shortly before noon, WCVB reported.
Father William Williams, who presided over the ceremony, recalled seeing blood on the vehicles in the funeral cortege.
Bullet-ridden: Ray Benzino's 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' cast mate Steve J. posted pictures of his visit to Benzino at South Shore Hospital (left and right), where he is listed in stable condition
Day of mourning: Benzino, born Raymond Scott, 48, was on his way to his mother's funeral at St Peter's Church in Plymouth
Tragic loss: Benzino (right) shared touching posts on Instagram honoring his mother, Mary Scott (left), who passed away March 20
‘I said to one of the guys, “There's blood on the hearse,”’ the clergyman told the WHDH news station.
Gai Scott has been charged with armed assault and intent to murder. His arraignment has been scheduled for Monday in Plymouth District Court.
Last week, Benzino took to Instagram to share photos of his late mother and talk about his grief and sense of loss, writing in one of the captions that he did not know how he will continue living knowing that Mrs Scott was gone.
Witnesses said Gai Scott pulled up next to Benzino's SUV in his Bentley and opened fire
Benzino is best known for starting The Source magazine in 1988. A decade later, he joined the rap collective Made Men, and his other claim to fame is that the entertainer has been locked in a feud with Eminem for more than a decade. His net worth is estimated to be $10million.
Since 2012, the 48-year-old rapper has been starring in Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, which premiered on VH1 that year as a spinoff of Love and Hip Hop New York.
The reality show follows the lives of more than a dozen local hip hop artists. The third season of the program will premiere in May.
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