Justin Bieber has said he will see rapper Chris King "in paradise" after the singer was shot dead
The 30-year-old reformed wildchild pop star, who is now a devout Christian, shared the shock news on Monday (22.04.24) he has been distraught since hearing his former housemate Chris, 32, was gunned down in an alleyway in Nashville, Tennessee, while hanging out with friends at around 2.30am on Saturday (20.04.24) - in an attack that also saw the tragic entertainer's 29-year-old male pal wounded.
25 April 2024
Justin posted on his Instagram Stories about Chris, who was a close friend and collaborator of rapper Trippie Redd: "Love you bro. This one hurts. Please keep his family in your prayers. See you in paradise brother."
Chris, who was the CEO and founder of Snotty Nose Records, shared a photo and video of him laughing with and hugging Justin, and revealed he and the singer had lived together nearly 10 years ago.
He said in his caption: "Fun fact: I lived at my brother's krib for a full year and a half almost 10 years ago.
"Glad some people never change no matter what. All love, forever extended family. @justinbieber."
Trippie, 24, also paid tribute to Chris on Instagram in the wake of his fellow rapper's killing, saying he would "not be where I am today" without his friend, who he said introduced him to music industry figures including record ex ecutive Elliot Grainge.
He added: "I am so hurt right now I can't even think I love you bro come back!!!!! (Three crying face emojis) @whoischrisking (broken heart emoji.)
"I can't catch a break (sick face and five broken heart emojis.)"
Trippie said in another note about his tragic friend he had the "best energy always".
Other celebrities including 37-year-old actress Megan Fox's on-off fiancé Machine Gun Kelly, 34, also paid tribute to Chris.
MGK - real name Colson Baker - said online: "Chris was rare (white dove, crying face and broken heart emojis.)"
Chris, born Christopher Cheeks, had performed at the Nashville Cannafest on Friday, 19 April, before he was shot.
A press release from the Metro Nashville Police Department said: "Cheeks was at the location with a group of friends when three men began interacting with the group.
"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. It was then that he heard gunfire and realized he was struck."
Police added Chris was found in the parking garage of the Hayes Street Hotel and was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.
The rapper's 29-year-old pal survived his gunshot injuries and cops also said they are working on "strong, active leads" around the shooting.
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