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Dancehall Artiste Rygin King Shot In Westmoreland, Woman Killed

By
ryginking
Rygin King

Montego Bay-based dancehall artiste and self-proclaimed Trap Lord Rygin King, is in stable condition in hospital, after being shot by a gunman in Western Jamaica.  A woman, now identified as his manager’s wife, 28-year-old Sashalee Blackwood, was also shot and killed in the incident.

The shooting was confirmed by the Communications Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

According to the police, the shooting happened in Ashton, Westmoreland about 3:15 p.m.  Reports are that the 25-year-old King was shot in the region of his torso and underwent surgery at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Rygin was traveling through Westmoreland with Blackwood, two children, and other persons to an event that was being held in another parish.

Along the Struie main road, one of the three vehicles in the artiste’s entourage collided with another motorist and they stopped to assess the damage.

A gunman arrived on the scene of the traffic accident in another motor vehicle, hurled insults at King, before shooting at him several times.  King was chased and was again shot by the gunman.

Blackwood, a customer service representative, was sitting with the children, and was also shot, and succumbed to her injuries.

A third person in the entourage, a male 25-year-old recording artiste, was also left nursing gunshot wounds to his leg.

The gunman escaped and has not been identified.

A senior cop told The Gleaner that the shooting appeared to have stemmed from an out-of-parish dispute.  “The persons involved were just passing through and never intended to stop in the parish had it not been for the accident,” he said.

Rygin King is said to be in stable condition following surgery, according to Head Concussion Records producer Rvssian’s sources.

Footage from the aftermath of the shooting and Rygin’s arrival at the hospital have appeared online.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_3Wc8Dxxz/

Producer Shab Don said on Instagram earlier this evening, “don’t give up Rygin King.  Yu youth dem need you also u friends and family.  Stay strong. Let’s pray for him.”

Rygin King, whose given name is Matthew Smith is best known for songs such as How me grow, Tuff, and Things go change.

His last release was a music video for Ruption on June 12.

Rvssian and Vybz Kartel also call for prayers for the singer to pull through and recover from the shooting.

Other Dancehall stars reacted to news of the shooting including I-Octane, Shenseea, Squash, Lisa Hyper, Deep Jahi, and Prince Swanny.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_3INYAUO9/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_8usLAE5O/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_69dvlzGl/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_4U97lNhb/