A tragic incident unfolded when a 17-year-old aspiring rapper from Virginia, known as Rylo Huncho, accidentally shot himself while filming a music video for social media. The young artist, whose real name was Raleigh Freeman III, was attempting to create provocative content for his followers when the fatal mishap occurred.
The incident was captured on a video that Freeman posted to his Instagram story. The footage showed him displaying a handgun, complete with a green laser sight and flashlight. During the video, Freeman took hold of the gun, appeared to disengage the safety, and pointed it at his head. He then uttered the phrase “f*** y’all n****s” before pulling the trigger, resulting in the fatal discharge. The camera captured the immediate aftermath as the phone fell to the floor following the shot.
Police in Suffolk, Virginia confirmed that a 17-year-old boy had died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, though they did not officially release his name. Freeman was quickly transported to a local hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, a family member initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the funeral expenses. The fundraiser’s description, written by Monica Savage and Diane Bryant, revealed the profound loss felt by Freeman’s mother, a single parent who had dedicated herself to raising her only son. The family expressed their deep sorrow and confusion, stating they were still trying to understand why the young man took such a drastic step.
A friend of Freeman’s, known as Twin Porter, also confirmed his death on Facebook, expressing heartbreak and condemning the harsh comments directed at the deceased. Porter urged people to have compassion for Freeman’s grieving mother, who now faces an unimaginable pain.
Rylo Huncho had amassed a following on social media, with 27,000 Instagram followers as of Monday. His profile, characterized by the tagline “Keep hating btch um on da rise,” showcased a range of content, including music with violent and explicit lyrics. His Spotify account featured songs such as “DOA,” “la la la,” “Hellcats SRTs,” “Money Getta,” and “Bag Talk,” often depicting themes of violence and aggression.
Freeman’s online presence extended to TikTok, where he had previously posted videos flaunting what appeared to be the same gun involved in the fatal incident. His music and social media content frequently involved references to firearms and marijuana use.
The tragedy has deeply affected those who knew him, including his school community. Kara Dorsey, a teacher at Freeman’s school, described the grief that permeated the halls as students and staff grappled with the loss. She mentioned meeting Freeman’s older cousin and a close friend, who were actively trying to support the grieving family.
Local authorities and the community continue to reflect on this tragic event, emphasizing the dangers of handling firearms and the profound impact such incidents can have on families and friends. Services for Raleigh Freeman III are still being arranged, and the community remains in mourning for the young life lost so abruptly and tragically.