Justin Bieber, Keke Palmer, and more pay tribute to 32-year-old rapper Chris King after fatal shooting

Chris King – a rapper whose close friends included Justin Bieber, Keke Palmer, Machine Gun Kelly, and Trippie Redd – was gunned down in Nashville on April 20. According to the New York Post, the 32-year-old rapper, whose real name is Christopher Cheeks, was in the city to perform at the Nashville Cannafest.

The Nashville Police Department in a statement said the fatal incident occurred around 2:30 am in an alleyway between Hayes and Church Streets, adding that a 29-year-old victim also sustained an injury from the shooting.

Authorities said King and a group of friends were in the alleyway when three men started interacting with them. “The 29-year-old victim reported the group was hanging out cordially for some time before the three suspects attempted to rob his group of friends,” the statement said. “It was then that he heard gunfire and realized he was struck.”

In the wake of the shooting, King as well as the victim and their other friends took off in different directions, authorities said. The 29-year-old was later transported to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment after he was found on Church Street. 

King, on the other hand, was located in Hayes Street Hotel’s parking garage. The 1 Man Army rapper, however, succumbed to injuries after he was transported to Vanderbilt. Authorities said the incident is being investigated by homicide unit detectives who are “working strong, active leads.”

Some of King’s close friends took to social media to pay tribute to him in the wake of his killing. Bieber, who was roommates with King more than 10 years ago, expressed his love for his deceased friend.

“Love you bro. This one hurts,” the pop star wrote on his Instagram story. “Please keep his family in your prayers. See you in paradise brother.”

“I love you until we meet again twin,” rapper Trippie Redd shared on Instagram. “I would not be where I am today without @whoischrisking he introduced me to @elliotgrainge & @milothelight 🙏 and he had the best energy always he had so many friends and it shows I love you guys for supporting one of my best friends ever my brother.”

Fellow rapper Machine Gun Kelly also commented on the post, writing that “Chris was rare.” Actress Keke Palmer also paid tribute to King.

“I wish I had more photos but it’s actually perfect because this is exactly how it began,” she shared alongside a photo they took. “I can’t believe I’m saying rest in peace. This is terrible. I really don’t know what to say. I just want to share that I loved you and I remember all the city walk, grove moments.”

King has several mixtapes and LPs to his name, per the New York Post. The deceased rapper is also best known for his Luck of the Snotty series. His latest single – Seeing Double Seeing Double – was released on April 8.