HOUSTON – A well-known rapper from Memphis, Tennessee has died after he was gunned down Friday night on Houston’s southside, according to his fiancé.
The victim, who police identified as 36-year-old LePreston Porter III, was found lying in a ditch with a gunshot wound to his neck in the 4200 block of Alice Street.
Porter was a rapper who was more commonly known by his stage name, Snootie Wild.
His family said he was preparing to release new music when he was shot and killed.
“He was happy. His life was changed,” said Porter’s cousin, Leon Porter. “He just got his life together.”
Houston police officers were made aware of the shooting through HPD’s new shot spotter technology.
HPD Lt. R. Wilkens said surveillance video from the area shows a white vehicle pulling up with two men and one woman inside before a single shot was fired into Porter’s SUV.
Porter was taken to the hospital in critical condition but he later died.
However, the witness told police Porter pointed a gun at her. She then ran away and then heard the gunshot and called 9-1-1.
Police said surveillance video shows the unknown suspects driving off in a dark-colored sedan.
When KPRC2′s Rilwan Balogun asked Porter’s family about the witness’ statements, they disagree with Porter’s characterization.
“To my knowledge, LePreston didn’t own a gun,” said Leon. “For me to hear that, that he was, you know, just doing some violence, I can’t believe that.”
His family is now calling for justice.
“Justice to me is getting the people who did this horrendous crime and making them pay for what they did. This is horrible. No one’s life should be taken,” Leon said.
His sister, Daphne Isom, said Porter Leaves behind a mother, four sisters, seven children and a huge community who loved him beyond music.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.