A teenage rapper fatally shot himself accidentally whilst filming a video for social media.
Raleigh Freeman III, also known as rapper Rylo Huncho, was found dead at his home in Suffolk, Virginia, on Wednesday (May 15).
According to The New York Post, cops did not identify the name of the deceased boy in their announcement but have confirmed a 17-year-old died from an "accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound" to his head.
A shocking video has surfaced online showing Huncho singing into a camera while waving around a firearm.
The teen appeared to switch off the weapon’s safety and point it at his head. A gunshot rang out and he was then thrown from view as the camera dropped.
The following day, a GoFundMe was set up for the young rapper's bereaved mother by Monica Savage and Diane Bryant.
"Hello, my aunt recently lost her 17-year-old son from a self-inflicted gun wound to the head. He was her only son!" the fundraiser read. "She was a single parent but took care of her son the best she could. Suicide/accidental was the cause of his death we are still trying to figure out why."
"But anything I mean anything can help her at this time of need. He was her only child she was also an only child it was always her and her son. Anything can help! Please keep my family in your prayers thank you so much," they concluded.
Many of the rapper's 28.2K followers on Instagram have taken to one of his final posts on the platform to express their condolences.
One user wrote: "Sad to see a life gone so tragically," and another said: "R.I.P you live it youngin." A third commented: "Sh** Not Funny At All. Rest In Peace Young Man."
Kara Dorsey, an educator who knew the rapper and his family, posted the fundraiser on Facebook and wrote: "Just yesterday my school family experienced a loss. While I didn't have the opportunity to meet this young man, I did meet his older cousin and a close friend today."
"I met them as they spent their lunch quietly walking the halls and asking staff members to share a GoFundMe to help the young man’s mother lay her only child to rest," she penned. "I tried to encourage them to honor the legacy of their friend and to continue being the thoughtful and polite young men they’d been in my only interaction with them…to push through to graduation day and continue fulfilling their goals."
"I told them that, while this won't ease their pain or bring him back, it will honor him and bring joy to their grieving family during this time," she added.
Our thoughts are with Huncho's family and friends at this devastating time.
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