Teen fatally shot in Md. was up-and-coming rapper 'Swipey'
SUITLAND, Md. (AP) — An 18-year-old man fatally shot near his home in Suitland was an up-and-coming rapper.
Prince George's County police say Douglas Brooks was found fatally shot outside an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Brooks' manager, Kevin Baldwin, of the record label M.O.P3, tells The Washington Post that Brooks was better known as Swipey.
Baldwin says Swipey had already performed alongside rappers including Fat Joe and Wale, a Washington native.
"It's just sad, he was a young man that was aspiring to be a young artist," said Tony Redz, an on-air personality at WPGC, CBS Radio in D.C. "He's done more in his lifetime than most artists that are 20-30-years-old."
The video for Swipey's song "Intro" has been viewed more than 130,000 times on YouTube and was shot in and around the Washington area.
Baldwin says Brooks graduated from high school but decided to pursue a career in music instead of attending Morgan State University.
Swipey just released his biggest mixed tape, "Sorry Not Sorry," last month. He was featured on Good Morning Washington in June as a spotlight performer for WPGC’s Birthday Bash.
Police say they don't believe Brooks' slaying was a random act of violence. Officers found Swipey outside his apartment on Parkway Terrace Drive just after 1 a.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead on scene.
"A very good artist, I definitely wish he was the next thing out of the DMV," said DJ 320, with WINDC Radio.
DJ 320 said Swipey was just on his show last week.
He was also somewhat of a regular at WPGC, hanging out with Redz and performing on the ADHD Show.
"He performed and he put on a great show, and he stayed and shook every kid's hand and took every picture, and that to me touched my heart," Redz said. “I just feel like it’s a tragedy when someone has no respect for humanity or no respect for life itself.”
Swipey grew up in SE Washington and was quickly becoming a rising star.
"RIP Swipey, condolences to his family and friends that lost him as well," DJ 320 said.
No arrests have been made. Police are working to identify the suspect(s) involved. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
