Authorities confirmed Monday that an SUV connected with a chase and shootout with deputies that left a man dead in Compton was registered in the name of rapper YG.
Rickie Cornell Starks, 65, of Compton was shot about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, where deputies had gotten into a shootout with an occupant of the fleeing SUV. He apparently was caught in the crossfire, sheriff’s Lt. Derrick Alfred said last week.
A sheriff’s department statement released Monday morning said: “Investigators can confirm that the information being widely reported regarding the suspect vehicle being registered to Keenon Jackson, AKA `YG,’ is accurate. The 2018 black Cadillac Escalade is reportedly a company car registered in the name of Keenon Jackson with an address in Sherman Oaks … Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau will not be commenting further regarding Mr. Jackson or the vehicle at this time, as this is an ongoing criminal investigation.”
Deputies from the Compton sheriff’s station initiated the pursuit of the Cadillac for suspected reckless driving or DUI, Deputy Grace Medrano said previously.
Someone in the Escalade opened fire on the deputies with a high-powered assault rife and they returned fire at Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, Medrano said.
Deputies came under fire a second time in the 1900 block of 199th Street and returned fire, Medrano said.
The Escalade sped away, followed by a sheriff’s department helicopter to Inglewood and a suspect on the passenger side fired several shots at that helicopter, possibly striking the aircraft, Medrano said.
The suspects bailed out and fled on foot and one suspect was arrested, while at least one suspect and the assault rifle were not located, Medrano said. The name of the person arrested was not released.
Deputies found the mortally wounded Starks at the corner of Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, and he was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple gunshot wounds.
One deputy who suffered graze wounds to his arm and shoulder during the pursuit was treated at a hospital and released, Medrano said.
The black Escalade was armored and had bullet-proof windows, ABC7 reported.
On July 5, the rapper posted on Twitter, “I was nowhere near the scene of this incident, I was in Hollywood recording in the studio all day. I was there until after midnight on the 4th of July and didn’t learn of these events until after they happened!”