Rapper Gonzoe ‘dead at 45’: Friend of Tupac and Ice Cube ‘murdered near gas station in Seattle’

RAPPER Gonzoe, 45, friend of Tupac and Ice Cube, has reportedly been fatally shot near a gas station in Seattle.

King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer confirmed a shooting victim had died overnight.

However no official confirmation has as yet been given of the shotgun victim's identity.

The gunman is reportedly still at large, with KCSO describing it as an "active scene".

Vlad TV reported today that "Ice Cube and 2Pac affiliate Gonzoe was shot and killed near a Seattle-area gas station.

"While information is scarce, it appears Gonzoe sustained three gunshot wounds after being shot near Roxbury Lanes."

King's County Sheriff's Office tweeted from Washington: "KCSO is investigating a shooting in the 2800 blk. of SW Roxbury St.

"One victim has been transported to Harborview with life threatening injuries.

"We thank the White Center community for their patience as this will likely remain an active scene for several hours."

GONZOE 'HUMBLE'

Gonzoe's distraught fans have flooded Twitter with tribute messages.

Alpha Martin tweeted: "RIP Gonzoe. I remember hitting him up on MySpace for a verse and he actually responded.

"Way outta my budget at the time I was a teenager but he understood and kept it humble."

Dawayne Jordan said on Twitter: "Lost another one. Man… RIP #Gonzoe."

Jason Hintz (Mr Grimmace) commented: "I’m shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Gonzoe, who was [allegedly] murdered today in West Seattle.

"My deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Gonzoe."

Tamás Borók added on social media: "Damn. Rest In Peace Gonzoe. Cold world out there man. Genuinely good dude taken out way too early. #gonzoe #rip #kausion."

Vlad TV said that the injured Gonzoe reportedly ran to a nearby Shell gas station where he collapsed, after being shot several times.

Gonzoe had changed his life considerably and began to offer positive, inspirational messages on his social media.

All Hip Hop

A bullet-riddled vehicle was later found in the area, the website added.

All Hip Hop explained that the rapper was an ex-member of Kausion, a group backed by Ice Cube, and prominent in the mid-1990s.

Debut South Central Los Skanless, released on October 10, 1995, peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

The website added: "Gonzoe had his share of beefs, but most of them ended amicably or even in the boxing ring as was the case with rival Boskoe.

"He had changed his life considerably and began to offer positive, inspirational messages on his social media."

Gonzoe was reportedly "working on numerous business deals after the high-profile fight with Boskoe, with whom he started a boxing league with after squashing their beef," the website explained.

Just a few days ago The Sun Online reported the death of rapper Money Mitch, who reportedly killed himself after he opened fire on police during a chase in Florida.

Cops found the body of the musician, real name Mitchell Holmes, at an apartment in Lake Park on June 23, according to reports.

And the brutal shooting death of KTS Dre earlier this month added the rapper's name to a growing list of stars wiped out by gun violence.

His death – along with the killings of Indian Red Boy, MO3 and Pop Smoke – has thrust the industry into the spotlight, with insiders saying "bullets fly around" and loved ones claiming many stars struggle to escape their pasts.