Atlanta Rapper Young Scooter Dies on His 39th Birthday — Details

Young Scooter's 39th birthday took a tragic turn, ending with his death after a tense encounter with Atlanta police. As questions swirl, authorities work to determine exactly what happened.

Atlanta rapper Young Scooter, known for his affiliations with Future and Waka Flocka Flame, has died at the age of 39. His death occurred on the same day as his birthday, adding a tragic note to the loss.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed his death on Friday after he was transported to Grady Marcus Trauma Center in Atlanta. The cause of death remains unknown as the autopsy is still pending.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to a call at 273 William Nye Drive SE around 5:23 p.m. The call reported a dispute with possible gunshots.

When officers arrived, they attempted to make contact with Scooter. However, upon seeing the officers, he immediately shut the door and left the house.

Scooter then fled from the responding officers, leading to a brief foot chase. During the pursuit, he jumped two fences and sustained an apparent leg injury.

Officers eventually caught up with him and administered aid, applying a tourniquet to control the bleeding. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Scooter was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Authorities have confirmed that no Atlanta Police officer discharged their weapon during the incident. The investigation is ongoing as officials work to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

Following Scooter's death, his son took to Instagram Stories to express his grief. In one post, he criticized the Atlanta Police Department, stating that they did not show any understanding. He mentioned that despite being in handcuffs, his only concern was making sure his father was okay.

He expressed frustration, saying the officers kept lying. He added that his "best friend" was gone but promised to take care of his siblings, emphasizing that he was a hustler like his father.

In another post, he shared how difficult it was to cope with the pain, saying he was "broken into million pieces" and did not wish that feeling on anyone. He also expressed anger, stating that his father did not deserve what happened.

He admitted that he was crying frequently and was struggling to express himself because his father was no longer there. He ended the post by expressing his love for his father, calling him "my dawg."

Scooter leaves behind four children, two boys and two girls, whose photos he often shared on Instagram, expressing pride in his role as a father. His devotion to his family was evident in his posts, highlighting the bond he had with his children.

Born Kenneth Edward Bailey, Scooter carved out a significant presence in Atlanta's rap scene. He was one of the first artists signed to Future's Freebandz label and later joined Waka Flocka Flame's Brick Squad Monopoly under Gucci Mane's 1017 Records.

His career gained momentum through a steady stream of mixtapes, collaborations with Gucci Mane and Zaytoven, and a feature on Future and Juice Wrld’s 2018 track "Jet Lag," which marked his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Walterboro, South Carolina, Scooter moved to Atlanta's Kirkwood community at the age of nine. In 2008, he decided to chase his passion for music and pursue it professionally after facing a drug trafficking charge.

His early collaborations with his childhood friend Future helped establish his name. While he never dominated the charts, Scooter became a consistent presence in Atlanta hip-hop during its commercial rise in the 2010s. He worked alongside industry heavyweights like Young Thug, Kodak Black, Juicy J, and Rick Ross, solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in the rap community.

Scooter's early work included "Plug Talkin," but it was his second mixtape, "Finessin and Flexin’," that brought him recognition. His signature style was marked by an effortless, dreamlike flow that seemed detached yet perfectly aligned with the beat.

The rapper often credited his recording style to his relaxed approach in the studio, once admitting, "I'm always in the studio, pretty drunk." Despite his laid-back approach, Scooter's impact on Atlanta's rap scene was undeniable, influencing a generation of artists and earning the respect of his peers.

Sadly, his untimely passing is one of several devastating losses the rap community has endured this year. Another tragic blow came with the death of G$ Lil Ronnie, who was killed alongside his young daughter in a heartbreaking act of violence at a local car wash on the morning of March 3, 2025.

According to authorities, the fatal shooting unfolded just before 11 a.m. (around 10:45 a.m.) at Slappy's Express Car Wash, located along Forest Hill Drive.

Police confirmed that a man and a young girl were sitting in their vehicle when two individuals approached in a white Kia sedan. Without warning, the suspects opened fire before quickly fleeing the scene.

Family members later identified the victims as 30-year-old Ronnie Smith, a local rapper who performed under the name G$ Lil Ronnie, and his daughter, R'Mani, who was just five years old.

The devastating loss came only one day after R'Mani celebrated her birthday, turning what should have been a joyful memory into an unimaginable tragedy. "All we know is that he was cleaning the car out and somebody came through shooting and killed him and the baby," Smith's aunt, Stella Houston, explained.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving relatives and the wider community in shock. As authorities carried out the investigation on Monday, a steady stream of family members and close friends gathered nearby, standing together in grief as police combed through evidence.

Those who knew Smith described him as a devoted father who loved his two children dearly and minded his own business.

"He didn't target anyone. He was a family man and he was going around rapping" Houston noted. She then questioned why anyone would target her nephew, adding, "And a baby? His baby?"

Authorities later confirmed that one suspect had been identified, though they didn't publicly release a name. However, police confirmed that an arrest warrant for Capital Murder had been issued in connection with the case.

The fatal shooting also highlighted a troubling shift for the typically quiet city of Forest Hill. Investigators noted that the city didn't report a single homicide in all of 2024—but with Monday's tragedy, the community's homicide count for 2025 had already climbed to five.

Some residents expressed growing concern about the apparent rise in violence, including local man Randy Owens, who shared his sense of unease with NBC 5 DFW.

"You just got to be careful out here, watch your step, it's crazy out here. You're not safe nowhere, you just got to pick your spots, you know what I'm saying?" divulged Owens.

Meanwhile, Slappy's Car Wash, where the deadly shooting took place, released a statement expressing shock over the incident. The business also announced it would remain closed for at least two days while the investigation continued.

Apart from Owens, among those shaken by the violence is Becky Johnson, another resident who lives just across the street from Slappy's Car Wash.

Still visibly rattled as she recalled the chilling moments to a FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reporter, Johnson described hearing rapid bursts of gunfire ring out.

"Six the first time and then it was like a half a second to a second I heard six more and then a half a second or a second later, I heard three more," recounted Johnson.

The sudden eruption of gunfire left her stunned, watching in disbelief as people scrambled for safety. "I could see people reaching for their cars," she said, explaining how witnesses instinctively ducked behind their vehicles, desperate for cover.

As the investigation continues to unfold and the community processes the shocking violence, the tragedy also caught the attention of an icon in the music industry. Famous rapper Soulja Boy took to his Instagram Story to pay tribute to fellow artist Smith.

In the post, the "Turn My Swag On" musician shared a photo of himself posing alongside Smith—a moment that now stands as a reminder of their connection.

Accompanying the image, Soulja Boy included a string of emojis, "🙏🏾🕊️🔗," signaling both grief and respect for his fellow rapper.

Weeks before tragedy struck, Smith offered his followers a heartwarming glimpse into his life as a devoted father. One of his final social media posts was a touching Valentine's Day tribute dedicated to his daughter and her young friend.

The images showed Smith crouching down with a wide smile, posing proudly with the two little girls in front of a festive backdrop that reads "Valentine's with Dad." R'Mani, who donned a cute red sweater, blue jeans, and white and red Nikes, stood next to her doting father.

Her little friend, who wore a Hello Kitty T-shirt, light-colored pants, and black sneakers, stood on the other side of Smith, who sported a white jacket, matching pants, and a gray beanie.

In another snapshot, the two little girls stood together in what appeared to be a school cafeteria, surrounded by classmates and glowing with excitement.

The post also includes a short video where Smith's voice could be heard bursting with pride as he declared, "Got my little valentines with me today!" His caption further revealed the caring dad's heart, capturing his warmth and kindness.

"My BabyGirl Couldn't Stand The Fact Her Friend Was Sad 😔 This Morning Her Daddy Couldn't Make it to Donuts With Daddy This Morning So Yu Know We Let Her kno it's Ok 2 Join us & She Can Snap it Up & That Changed her Whole Mood ❤️💙 My Lil Valentines Literally 💘 [sic]," Smith wrote.

That tender moment, filled with love and generosity, now serves as a heartbreaking reminder of a father's devotion and the beautiful bond he shared with his daughter.

At this time, we wish to extend our most sincere condolences to Smith and R'Mani's entire family, friends, and loved ones as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid this devastating time. RIP, dear Smith and little R'Mani.