Nick Cannon-signed rapper/producer Ryan Bowers is suffering from life-threatening injuries following an incident when a San Diego police officer shot him in his chest last Thursday (January 3).
According to KGTV, Officer Matthew Steinbach shot Bowers and claimed the shooting was in self-defense.
“Fearing for his safety, one officer fired his weapon at the male striking him at least once,” police said.
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The city’s police responded to a 911 call around 10 p.m. after a person reported that Bowers, 23, had reportedly cut his own throat with a knife inside of an apartment located in San Diego’s Midway District.
When officers arrived on the scene, they were let in by a family member of Bowers and located the rapper in the back bedroom of the apartment.
Bowers allegedly wielded another knife from his pocket and raised it and pointed it towards the officers who had warned him to drop the knife.
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As Bowers refused police orders, multiple gunshots were fired by Steinbach and one hit Bowers in the chest. Bowers was given medical assistance from paramedics came to the grisly scene, and is now in critical condition at a local hospital.
Nick Cannon posted a lengthy heartfelt message on Instagram about Ryan Bowers and the rapper’s tumultuous life story. He discussed Bowers’ talents as an artist, Bowers’ early history in the rap industry in a group called PWD that involved singer Kehlani, and appearing on Cannon’s MTV show Wild ‘N Out.
“This honestly hurts my heart to have to post this right now, but I’m just requesting prayers and positive energy for my young guy!” Cannon said. “He had such a troubled and haunted journey when I first signed him that I wasn’t aware of because he did it all with a smile. One of the nicest and sincere kids you could ever meet.”
Bowers emerged as a solo artist earlier this decade, and has done several collaborations with rap veterans including Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs N Harmony, E-40 and DJ Premier.
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