Barry “Cassidy”
Reese surrendered to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania authorities earlier today (June
17) and was charged with homicide, conspiracy and weapons violations. The rapper, known
for hits like “Hotel” featuring R. Kelly and his most recent hit,
“I’m A Hustla,” is accused of being one of three men that
shot and killed a 22-year-old man in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia.
Police allege Cassidy, 22, was
one of three men who shot up a car in a driveway on a street, dicing the car
with bullets and wounding the three occupants, whom police said were unarmed.
The three wounded
men were taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where Desmond Hawkins, 22,
was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the back.
Police said that
an argument was at the root of the shooting and that all of the men were acquainted
with each other and that the dispute did not involve drugs.
An arrest warrant
was issued for the rapper June 8. Cassidy’s lawyer said that his client
was innocent and was not involved with the shooting.
"The allegations
are not true," Cassidy’s lawyer Michael Giampietro told the Philadelphia
Daily News. "The evidence will show he was not involved in the shooting."
As of press time,
police were still seeking Abdul West, 23, and another unidentified man in relation
to the shooting.
The shooting comes just as the Cassidy is preparing for the June 28 release
of his sophomore album, I’m A Hustla.