Atlanta rapper Lil Marlo, 30, was fatally shot while driving on Interstate 285 in downtown Atlanta late Saturday night in what police believe was a targeted attack. Officers responded to a single-vehicle accident call around 11:30pm and found the rapper, whose real name is Rudolph Johnson, deceased inside the vehicle from gunshot wounds.
The Atlanta Police Department stated that the preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling southbound on I-285 when the driver was shot. Investigators believe Johnson was the intended target and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office has yet to determine the cause of death.
Lil Marlo, who signed with Quality Control Music in 2017, was a close friend of fellow rappers Lil Baby and Lil Yachty. He released several projects, including the 2017 collaborative album '2 the Hard Way' with Lil Baby, his debut solo album 'The Wire', and his most recent album '1st & 3rd' in February. He leaves behind four children.
Tributes poured in on social media from fellow artists. Lil Yachty wrote: 'We just did a song a 4 this morning smh rip brother.' JT of City Girls tweeted: 'Rest In Peace Marlo......damn.' Producer LondonOnDaTrack added: 'Damn bro not marlo it wasn't yo time to go brudda damn plz say it ain't true.'
