In the midst of possibly facing a return to jail for his September drug possession charges, T.I. reportedly helped persuade a suicidal jumper to avoid leaping from the top of a radio station’s building. TMZ reports that Tip called V-103 on-air personality Ryan Cameron after hearing about a jumper atop the building where Cameron’s radio show is hosted. Cameron suggested T.I. head over, where the rapper recorded a heartfelt video message that authorities played for the man atop the roof. After being talked down T.I. also met with the man, who will not face charges from V-103. (October 13)
UPDATE: After the incident, Tip spoke with Cameron and explained his role in assisting the jumper, who has been identified as Joshua.
“It had to be destined to happen, because I was on my way to shoot a video,” T.I. said. “I heard this on the radio soon as I was pulling out of my driveway. I called the station and made my way down there, and I asked the negotiators and the policeman if I could be of any help. I was willing to do whatever I could to resolve this peacefully and favorably. They came up with the idea of sending a message. Joshua believed in us enough to take our word for it. He came down off faith, and I was down there and spoke to him for a minute.”
Jason Geter told Forbes.com’s The Beat Report that T.I. told man, “Nothing is that bad. Nothing in life is worth taking your life. I’m here to help you. Please come down to talk to me.”
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The interview, posted early this morning, also claimed that the man who nearly took his life is an aspiring film producer. Read the full Jason Geter interview at Forbes.com .
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in America in 2007, accounting for 34,598 deaths. The overall rate was 11.3 suicide deaths per 100,000 people, with an estimated 11 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death.
