Rapper Chinx Killed In Queens Shooting

NEW YORK (CBSNewYorkAP) -- A Queens rapper who was part of French Montana's group, Coke Boys, has been killed in an early morning shooting.

Lionel Pickens died at a Queens hospital, police said. The 31-year-old, who performed as Chinx, had been shot multiple times in the chest around 4 a.m. Sunday at Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive in Briarwood.

Another man was also shot. He was in the hospital in critical condition.

The two men were in a Porsche when another car pulled up alongside, and multiple shots were fired, police said.

Pickens' management team issued a statement on Instagram saying his "dedication, humor and vision will always be remembered."

"It is with a heavy heart that The Legion Media Group and 4 Kings Management announce the passing of Lionel "Chinx' Pickens this morning," it wrote.

No arrests have been made. An investigation is underway.

As CBS2's Steve Langford reported, Pickens grew up in Far Rockaway, his roots were often featured in his music videos.

Pickens had played a show in Brooklyn on Saturday night, before he was ambushed.

"It was a black Mercedes that came right next to that car and they let off shots," witness Raymond Rivera said.

River said he saw the shooting from up the block and watched Pickens fall to the pavement.

"Police came. They put a blanket over him. They came took him in the ambulance," Rivera said.

Just hours after the shooting there was a major show of force by the NYPD in Far Rockaway.

Police took at least two men into custody and were questioning in connection with the murder.

At the crime scene a sobbing woman declined to speak, while friends and fans watched in stunned silence.

"Those were young kids. Young kids that I watched grow up. Man this is like sad right," Vasco Alder said.

Alex, a fan of Chinx's music, wonders if perhaps someone was jealous.

"He was headed to the top," he told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "He was with the right team. And some people didn't like that."

Pickens did have a rap sheet, with arrests for attempted murder, robbery and drugs, D'Auria reported. He spent more than three years in prison.

Sean "Diddy" Combs posted about Chinx's death on Instagram on Sunday.

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