Atlanta, GA - 

Young Scooter has died on his 39th birthday following an encounter with Atlanta Police.

The Freebandz rapper was fleeing from officers on foot on Friday (March 28) after they were called to an Atlanta residence following reports of shots being fired and violence against a woman.

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According to police, Scooter (real name Kenneth Bailey) injured his leg while attempting to jump a fence and was later transported to hospital where he died.

The cause of death has not yet been revealed, although an autopsy was due to be carried out on the rapper on Saturday (March 29).

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Lieutenant Andrew Smith explained the incident during a press conference, saying: “Once officers arrived, they knocked on the door. A male opened the door and immediately shut the door on the officers. During [the officers’] process of [then] establishing the perimeter, two males fled out of the rear of the house.”

He continued: “One male returned back into the house. The other male jumped two fences as he was fleeing. When officers located him on the other side of the fence, he appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg. Officers rendered aid, and he was transported to Grady Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”

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Smith added that Scooter’s injury “was sustained not via the officers on scene” but when he “was fleeing.”

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing.

After the shocking news spread, tributes from across the Hip Hop community poured in for Young Scooter, who was a respected veteran of the Atlanta Hip Hop scene and best known for his collaborations with Future, Young Thug, Gucci Mane and others.

Playboi Carti posted a picture of Scooter on Instagram and wrote: “I GREW UP ON DIS SHIT SMH RIP.”

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Fellow Georgia native Quavo posted several heartbreak emojis on X (formerly Twitter) and added: “Ion understand.”

Meek Mill, who worked with Scooter on the 2017 track “Hustlin,” paid tribute by tweeting: “RIP TO SCOOTER……. CRAZY TEARS FOR YOU!!!!!!!”

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He added: “Rip young scooter a Atl generational leader that help keep a lot of energy pumping out and into Atl….. prayers to your kids family and the whole freebandz family! I love you and god bless your soul!!!”

ATL Jacob reacted by thanking the late rapper for coming up with his producer tag, writing “Wtf not scooter man wtf. ATL Jacob ATL Jacob came from Young Scooter man brudda you forever Legendary.”

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Boosie Badazz, Lloyd Banks and Sonny Digital also mourned Scooter’s death on social media.

HipHopDX sends its condolences to Young Scooter’s family, friends and fans.