Amateur rapper allegedly shot man for mocking him at Christmas party in Redstone
An amateur rapper from Pittsburgh allegedly shot another man because he was mocking his rapping during a Christmas party in Redstone Township.
State police in Belle Vernon issued an arrest warrant for Bruce Dewayne Jones, 30, of Franklin Avenue. He allegedly shot Curtis Smith in the buttocks about 11:15 p.m. Saturday.
Jones, who goes by the rapper name “May Cuz,” was rapping in the kitchen of 711 Hill St. before the shooting.
“Smith overheard Jones rapping and did not believe he was that great at it,” Trooper Adam Janosko wrote in the affidavit of probable cause. “Smith began to laugh and smirk at Jones as he sang.”
Jones became upset and started arguing with Smith in the house, and the two continued arguing in the yard. Jones allegedly displayed a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol to Smith, saying he “better leave.” Smith reportedly asked Jones why he needed a gun and began to climb into an SUV that was waiting for him. Jones allegedly fired three shots at Smith and the SUV. One bullet hit Smith in the buttocks, and two others struck the passenger doors, police said. A man and woman were in the car, according to court documents.
Smith was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment. The man and woman did not seek medical treatment, police said.
Jones is not permitted to possess a firearm, according to state police. He was adjudicated delinquent for possessing a firearm as a minor in 2004 in Allegheny County.
Jones is charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, possession of a firearm prohibited, firearms not to be carried without a license, criminal mischief, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Charges were filed Sunday before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.
Jones’ artist biography on ReverbNation says his music was influenced by his childhood experiences in Homewood North.
“It was around the age of 7 or 8 when he realized he had rhythm and a distinctive voice by freestyle rapping and singing songs with his friends. Growing up in a neighborhood with a high crime rate, he saw a lot and adapted to the environment,” the biography reads, in part.