KING OF THE SOUTH LOSES ASSISTANT IN SHOOTOUT

A shoot out involving members of T.I.’s entourage and a group of Cincinnati men claimed the life of the rappers personal assistant and left three others injured.

Philant Johnson, 26, was killed early Wednesday morning after a verbal altercation inside Cincinnati’s Club Ritz escalated into a highway shootout. The club was hosts to an after party for T.I. and rapper Young Joc Allegedly a group of men were offended when money thrown by T.I. and his entourage landed on them, exclaiming “We got money.”

T.I. and his crew left the club in vans and were followed by the group of men in their own SUV’s. Shots erupted between the two vehicles around 3:20 a.m. and when police arrived four people were found with gun shot wounds including Johnson who later died. No arrests have been made as yet.

The Atlanta rapper is scheduled to kick off the Apollo Theater June Black Music Month Celebration in June. The event is intended showcase musical artists who have had a strong impact on society. T.I.’s latest album “King” went Gold in its first week. The performance will take place June 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.