Young Scooter, the talented rapper known for his impact on the Atlanta music scene, tragically lost his life following an encounter with officers from the Atlanta Police Department. This heartbreaking incident occurred on Friday, March 28, coinciding with his 39th birthday. The Atlanta Police Department reported that Scooter, whose real name is Kenneth Bailey, was transported to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his severe injuries.

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Reports from 11Alive indicate that the Fulton County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the individual who died on that fateful day as Young Scooter. As more details emerge regarding this tragic case, Scooter’s eldest son, devoted fans, and fellow celebrities, including Quavo and ATL Jacob, have begun sharing their thoughts and condolences publicly.

Atlanta Police Department Provides Details on Young Scooter’s Incident

On the evening of the incident, Lt. Andrew Smith, alongside the APD Homicide Commander, held a press conference to provide insights into the circumstances surrounding Kenneth Bailey’s tragic death. During this briefing, Lt. Smith explained that officers responded to a southeast Atlanta area in Zone 3 following reports of gunfire and a woman allegedly being dragged into a residence. This aspect of the investigation remains active, as the Atlanta Police Department has yet to locate the woman mentioned in the 911 call. “We have not been able to substantiate any of that,” stated Lt. Smith regarding the initial emergency call.

Upon arriving at the residence, officers knocked on the door, only for a man to allegedly open it briefly before slamming it shut. Subsequently, the APD established a perimeter around the scene. During this process, two males reportedly attempted to escape from the back of the house. One individual retreated back inside, while the other continued to flee.

“The other male jumped two fences as he was fleeing. When officers located him on the other side of the fence, he appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg,” Lt. Smith elaborated.

Officers provided immediate medical assistance to the injured man before he was transported to the Grady Marcus Trauma Center for further treatment. Sadly, it was there that the man—later identified as Young Scooter—passed away. Lt. Smith emphasized that Atlanta Police officers did not discharge their firearms or shoot Scooter, clarifying that the injuries sustained were due to his fall while fleeing. He reported that Scooter was bleeding at the scene with a significant leg injury.

“Just to be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on scene. It was when the male was fleeing,” emphasized Lt. Smith during the press conference.

At the time of the conference, the official cause of death for Scooter had not yet been determined, and an autopsy was still pending, according to 11Alive. Additionally, the bodycam footage capturing the events has yet to be released to the public.

The Journey of Kenneth Bailey: From Childhood to Young Scooter

Kenneth Bailey established his roots in Atlanta at the tender age of nine when his family made the move from South Carolina. His official entry into the rap scene occurred in 2012 with the release of his breakout track ‘Columbia.’ Just two years later, he gained further recognition through his collaboration on the song ‘DI$Function’ alongside renowned artists such as Future, Young Thug, and Juicy J. Over the next four years, Young Scooter made a significant impact, appearing on two Billboard charts for his featured roles in the tracks ‘Guwop’ and ‘Jet Lag.’

This tragic event unfolded on what should have been a day of celebration, as Young Scooter was marking his 39th birthday. Just hours prior to his untimely death, he shared over 20 heartfelt birthday messages and shoutouts from friends, colleagues, and fans on his Instagram Stories, showcasing the love and respect he garnered throughout his career.

Heartfelt Reactions: Young Scooter’s Son Responds to His Father’s Passing

Young Scooter is believed to have at least five children, comprising three sons and two daughters. He frequently shared moments from their lives, celebrating their achievements and milestones on his social media platforms. His last Instagram post was made on February 3, commemorating his daughter Katelyn Bailey’s 10th birthday. According to various posts, he is also a proud father to a 12-year-old daughter named Kinidi and two sons, Zach and Kobe.

His firstborn son, Kenneth Bailey Jr., recently celebrated a significant academic milestone with his graduation in May 2024 and his birthday on January 4. In the wake of his father’s tragic death, Kenneth Jr. took to Instagram Stories to express his feelings, where he seemed to allege that the Atlanta Police Department was not truthful about the events leading to his father’s demise.

“FK APD. Police or not ain have no understanding bout you pulled straight up ain’t give a fk bout no handcuffs on me. I just wanted to make sure you good dats all I kept asking and they h*e ass kept lying. Damn my best friend gone. Happy Birthday, too. I know exactly what to do fasho tho. You know I got my sisters and brothers they overly good yo son a hustla just like you. watch dis,” Kenneth Jr. shared, including a few emojis to emphasize his feelings.

In a follow-up post on Instagram Stories, Kenneth expressed gratitude for all those who have reached out, promising to respond to them while also indicating his desire to stay away from social media to avoid confronting the painful news, including coverage from various blogs.

“…Sh*t man ion even wanna see nunna dis sh*t. Broken into million pieces ion wish dis pain on nobody. Dude a good ngga he didn’t deserve this sh*t,” Kenneth Jr. expressed poignantly in his message.

Young scooter son speaks after his father’s death pic.twitter.com/pY52cHOdTr

— STREETWORK85NAWF BY DRE HOVA (@Streetwork85N) March 29, 2025

Celebrity Friends Share Their Grief and Condolences for Young Scooter

The loss of Young Scooter has resonated deeply not only with his family but also with his fans and fellow artists, who have taken to social media to express their sorrow and condolences. His son, Kenneth Jr., has been among many who flood his father’s social media accounts with messages of grief. On X (formerly Twitter), Quavo shared his disbelief by posting, “Ion understand,” accompanied by broken heart and praying hands emojis to convey his feelings of loss.

Offset shared a heartfelt screenshot capturing a recent conversation between him and Scooter discussing the possibility of collaborating on a new song. He added “Smh” along with a broken heart emoji to express his sorrow over the situation.

Former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson expressed his condolences with a simple yet poignant “R.I.P. Young Scooter” on X. Additionally, ATL Jacob posted two messages on X, with the first acknowledging that Young Scooter was the one who gave him his famous name. In the second post, he emphasized the importance of cherishing loved ones while they are still alive.

“Life too short…love who genuinely respect you and stay close to ya loved ones. Dead ya family beef u have and make up w ya people that matters to you,” he advised thoughtfully in his message.

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