After allegedly shooting and murdering a woman in front of her children on New Years Day, Florida rapper J $tash turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
Reports reveal that the sad incident occurred at approximately 7am on Saturday (1 January) in Temple City, California.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has confirmed that J $tash, whose real name was Justin Joseph, and a woman named Jeanette Gallegos died at the scene.
“Deputies from Temple Sheriff’s Station responded to a home regarding a call of possible domestic violence on a gunshot victim,” sheriff’s Deputy Grace Medrano said in a statement.
“When deputies arrived, they discovered two victims, a 27-year-old female Hispanic and a 28-year-old male Black unresponsive inside the home,” Medrano said. “The female victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while the male victim sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The sheriff’s office further added that “three juveniles, ranging in age from 5 to 11” were also removed from the home “unharmed upon the deputies’ arrival”.
“The three lived in the home and are believed to be the children of the deceased female victim,” Medrano said, adding that a weapon was found at the scene.
Lieutenant Derrick Alfred said: “Right now, the evidence at the scene and the preliminary information we have from the children in the home is that it’s a murder-suicide.”
Some reports claim that Gallegos and J $tash were in a relationship, however, those reports haven’t been confirmed.
J $tash was most notably associated with rapper Rich the Kid as a former Rich Forever label signee. According to a 2017 Crack Magazine interview, J $tash grew up in South Florida then moved to New York.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.