Detroit’s rap world star Skilla Baby, born Trevon Gardner, was shot Thursday night in what police are calling a targeted drive-by shooting on the city’s notorious Eight Mile Road. The chaotic scene played out near Beech Daly Road, where shots were fired outside, and a black SUV, the same type of car Skilla Baby was believed to be traveling in, slammed into a building following the storm of bullets.
The scene was a grim one as authorities arrived, peppered with shell casings that further underlined the level of violent force in the ambush. Witnesses and investigators spoke of the sound of so many shots as alarming, with evidence markers that stretched across the street like dark breadcrumbs.
Skilla Baby, who is fast emerging as one of Detroit’s leading rap voices, was struck multiple times during the attack: one graze wound to the back of his head, another to his back, and a gunshot to his hand, among them. Conflicting reports indicate that he might have also been hit in the legs. He was taken to a local hospital after the horrifying injuries, in which he is believed to be in stable condition.
The rapper is alert and being closely monitored in the hospital, with everyone close to him by his bedside and an extra protective detail on him. In the hours after the shooting, social media threads were filled with messages of support from fans, fellow artists, and people who identify as part of the Detroit community. The mood was part relief, part seething anger, as many in attendance struggled to come to terms with yet another violent episode with the city’s hip-hop talent at its center.
Redford Township police have now taken charge of the investigation and say the attack seems to have been targeted, but no suspects have been arrested or identified.
The shooting represents a disturbing turn for Skilla Baby, who has been drawing national attention with his raw, narrative-based music and his moves in new artistic directions. The budding star revealed that he’s already been dabbling in acting and is currently working with none other than 50 Cent, demonstrating an ambition to excel outside the mic and perhaps enter the realm of acting.
Skilla Baby is emblematic of Detroit’s new generation of young people telling their truth through art and navigating a landscape that too often reflects the pain in their lyrics. The shooting on Thursday was a stark reminder that these artists face real dangers as they make their way toward the light.
The city waits for Skilla Baby to recover. The music will roll on, but the streets that held him, battered and inspiring, especially Eight Mile, with its long troubled history, also made another chilling announcement of how quickly things can change. Let’s hope Skilla Baby bounces back, gets back on his feet, and gets back to what he does best: converting his story into sound
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