A member of the Chicago hip-hop group Pivot Gang was gunned down earlier this week in a shooting that also claimed the life of his uncle, according to reports.
SqueakPIVOT, a music producer and DJ for the group, whose real name is Javunte Wheeler, was 26 years old.
The second victim was identified as 27-year-old Derion Hood, who was Squeak’s uncle.
Both men were shot in the head Monday night and died after being rushed to the hospital, according to Rolling Stone magazine, which cited the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting happened outside Squeak’s grandmother’s house in the 5000 block of West St. Paul Avenue, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Surveillance video from a Ring doorbell camera at the home revealed the men were killed by a passenger inside Squeak’s car, according to the Sun-Times.
After Squeak stepped out of the vehicle to talk to Hood, the gunman emerged from the passenger seat, shot both men, then got back in the car and sped away, the newspaper reported.
Investigators have not yet identified the suspect nor released many details as they continue to investigate the crime.
“This person was in the car with him and he knew him,” Squeak’s younger sister Rayvita Pernell told the Sun-Times. “So apparently he trusted him and took him to his grandmother’s home and was talking with him at the trunk of the car and this is what happened.”
Squeak worked mostly behind the scenes for Pivot Gang, which released its first studio album “You Can’t Sit With Us” in April 2019. The album was preceded by a handful of EPs and mixtapes that are widely available on several digital music platforms.
The crew originally featured nine members, including 23-year-old John Walt, who was stabbed to death during a street fight on the West Side of Chicago in 2017.
The group’s most popular member is rapper Saba, who has two solo albums — “Bucket List Project” and “Care for Me” — that were released in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Other members include Joseph Chilliams, Saba’s brother, and Squeak’s older brother Frsh Waters, and MFn Melo rap, Dam Dam, daedaePIVOT and Daoud.
The group announced Squeak’s death Tuesday night on Twitter.
“We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of one of our own, Squeak Pivot,” the group wrote. “We appreciate the support from the community at this time and ask that you keep Squeak’s family and friends in your prayers.”
Squeak leaves behind two young children, including a boy who was born in May, the Sun-Times reported.
A balloon release ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday night at Lafollette Park, according to the group.
Squeak joins a growing list of young hip-hop artists who have been murdered in recent months, including Connecticut rapper YNT Juan, Los Angeles rapper Indian Red Boy, Chicago rappers KTS Dre and King Von, Brooklyn rapper Supa Gates, and Houston rapper Obe Noir.
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