Makeshift Memorial Grows For Rapper Chinx, Killed In Queens Shooting

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A deadly ambush in Queens has the rap world mourning a bright young star.

Lionel Pickens, known in the rap community as Chinx, was in the driver's seat of his Porsche waiting at a traffic light in Briarwood around 4 a.m. Sunday when another car pulled up and gunfire erupted.

Seven bullets were fired into Pickens' car, killing the 31-year-old rapper and injuring his 27-year-old friend in the passenger seat, CBS2 reported.

Police took at least two men into custody and are now questioning them in connection with the murder of the rapper, CBS2 reported.

A makeshift memorial continues to grow at Queens Boulevard near 84th Road, where Pickens was killed.

Some fans believe jealousy ended Pickens' life.

"He was headed to the top, he was with the right team, and some people didn't like that," one fan said. "Chinx had a unique flow."

"When somebody like that is erased from the world, it's crazy, especially for people that's coming up that look up to those people," a friend of Pickens said.

Sean "Diddy" Combs expressed his condolences on Instagram.

Jay-Z will pay tribute to the slain rapper at a show Friday night in Manhattan, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

Pickens, who grew up in Far Rockaway, was killed just hours after performing for a packed house in Brooklyn.

A message on his Instagram page thanked supporters and asked for privacy for his family.

Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.