Lil Phat Dead, Rapper Dies in Atlanta Murder: REPORTS
LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Lil Phat is dead, rapper Melvin Vernell III has died in shooting, claims local news. Lil Phat’s death is being reported by the local NBC affiliate 11Alive and the CBS affiliate 9WAFB today. Police are asking the public’s assistance in locating Vernell’s shooters. Local news is reporting that Melvin Vernell III suffered a fatal gunshot wound outside Northside Hospital Thursday June 7, 2012.
The Melvin Vernell III shooting death put Northside Hospital on lockdown last night. WAFB reports that the Lil Phat shooting erupted Thursday evening. The attack was not inside the hospital, but rather in the parking deck near the hospital’s women’s center.
WAFB reports the shooting erupted after 6:30 pm local time. Melvin Vernell III was inside a car when he was shot dead. Officials report to news that Vernell was seated inside his vehicle parked near the hospital’s Labor and Delivery wing.
Lil Phat Crime Pictures, Crime Scene Set 1
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Following the shooting, witnesses saw two suspects fled the scene. Police are indicating that the shooting was not random. Vernell was rushed into the hospital where he later died. The shooters have not been arrested.
“In a case like this where there’s a potential shooting on the campus we lock down all the hospital facilities, no one is allowed to leave or enter the building,” said Russ Davis, spokesman for Northside, said in a news statement to WAFB.
Lil Phat Crime Pictures, Crime Scene Set 2
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The NBC affiliate reports that the hospital was on lockdown for two hours after the attack. Rapper Webbie wrote last night “RIP TO MY LIL BROTHER PHAT! LIFE SO F… UP! TRILL4LIFE”. He later added “you … think death a joke until you loose somebody you love.”
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Send your love.
