Atlanta rapper Lil Baby's 'cowardly' actions led to murders of two teens at birthday party, police say

The tragic deaths of two 13-year-old boys, Jakody Davis and Lamon Freeman, at a birthday party in July 2024 have been linked to actions by Atlanta rapper Lil Baby, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

Police revealed that a shooting at Lil Baby’s music video shoot in May 2024 sparked a chain of violent events, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting of the teens.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Major Ralph Woolfolk with the Violent Crime Interdiction Section referred to the rapper's actions as "cowardly," stating that Lil Baby had filmed his music video in a rival gang’s territory, an act which incited further violence. Woolfolk confirmed that the shooting of the two boys was connected to the gang war that erupted after the music video shoot.

Lil Baby, whose real name is Dominique Jones, was identified as the catalyst for the violence. Investigators revealed that following the May 2024 shooting at the music video shoot, a high-ranking member of a rival gang, incarcerated in Georgia’s Hays State Prison, ordered the retaliatory attack on the teens. This hit was orchestrated from behind bars using a contraband cellphone.

The young teens, who had no connection to the gang violence, were caught in the crossfire when suspects opened fire on an apartment complex where they were celebrating Freeman’s birthday.

The suspects involved have been arrested, and a $50,000 reward is being offered for more information about the case.