Jay Rock Arrested For Felony Gun Possession in Los Angeles
Grammy-winning MC Jay Rock was arrested in Watts, Los Angeles on Thursday night (March 13) for felony firearm possession and trespassing. According to NBC 4, the rapper born Johnny Reed McKinzie, 39, was taken into custody around 6 p.m. in Nickerson Gardens on charges of trespassing and drinking in public.
At press time a spokesperson for the LAPD had not returned Billboard's request for comment on the arrest and it did not appear that Rock had commented on the arrest on his socials; a spokesperson for the rapper had not returned a request for comment at press time.
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ABC 7 reported that after police stopped Rock for trespassing in Nickerson Gardens — the largest public housing complex in Los Angeles and the place where Rock grew up — he reportedly tried to flee his vehicle when the arresting officers would not tell him why he was being detained. Police then reportedly found a firearm in the car, which led to a booking on suspicion of felony weapons violation.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department records confirm that Rock was arrested on Thursday, with no information available at press time about whether he had posted bond and was released from custody or when he is due in court on the charge.
Rock is longtime member of the Top Dawg Entertainment family and was a member of the now-defunct Black Hippy crew, which included Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. He released his debut album, Follow Me Home, in 2011, followed by 90059 in 2015 and Redemption in 2018. One of the tracks from the latter, 'King's Dead,' featuring Lamar, Future and James Blake, was included on the Black Panther: The Album soundtrack collection and won a best rap performance award at the 2019 Grammys; the song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The rapper appeared alongside fellow TDE family members SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Doechii, Isaiah Rashad, SiR, Ab-Soul and Ray Vaughn at December's 11th annual Christmas concert, toy drive and community giveback.
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