Kenneth Edward Rashaad Bailey, known professionally as Young Scooter, passed away on his 39th birthday, March 29, 2025, after sustaining severe injuries while fleeing from police in Atlanta. The incident occurred on the southeast side of the city when officers responded to reports of gunshots and a woman being dragged back into a residence on William Nye Drive SE. Upon arrival, a male briefly opened the door before closing it on the officers.
As police established a perimeter, two males fled from the rear of the house. One returned, while the other, later identified as Bailey, attempted to escape by jumping two fences.
Rip young scooter a Atl generational leader that help keep a lot of energy pumping out and into Atl….. prayers to your kids family and the whole freebandz family! I love you and god bless your soul!!! 🙏🏾
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) March 29, 2025
During this pursuit, Bailey suffered a severe leg injury that ultimately led to his death at the Grady Marcus Trauma Center.
Lt. Andrew Smith of the Atlanta Police Department emphasized that the officers fired no shots during the pursuit and that Bailey’s injury was a result of his attempt to flee.
Celebrities like ATL Jacob and Quavo react to the death of Young Scooter on his birthday. See reactions: https://t.co/ftzjI7Iqbv pic.twitter.com/mxhsHMscja
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) March 29, 2025
Rapper flees, ends up dead
Young Scooter, originally from Walterboro, South Carolina, rose to prominence in the Atlanta hip-hop scene during the 2010s.
He was known for his collaborations with notable artists such as Future, a childhood friend, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Juicy J, Kodak Black, and Rick Ross. His 2013 mixtape, “Street Lottery,” garnered significant attention.
Young Scooter's son Kenneth Jr. reacts to his passing in heartbreaking posts. 🙏 See what he said: https://t.co/ftzjI7Iqbv pic.twitter.com/Mmnk6Iu4hV
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) March 29, 2025
Bailey’s son, Kenneth Bailey Jr., shared a series of emotional posts on social media, expressing his grief and criticizing the Atlanta Police Department. “F— APD,” he wrote, alleging that the police had lied to him about his father’s condition. He described feeling “broken into [a] million pieces” and emphasized that his father was a “good” person who “ain’t deserve this s—.”
Rapper Young Scooter reported dead in Atlanta
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said 39-year-old Kenneth Bailey was taken to the hospital after an incident in the 200 block of William Nye Drive SE.https://t.co/4NkVPJiPQU— Marvin L James II (@sportsguymarv) March 29, 2025
The music community has paid tribute to Young Scooter, with fellow artists such as Waka Flocka, Playboi Carti, and Quavo expressing their condolences and disbelief at the tragic news.
An autopsy is pending to confirm the exact cause of death. Young Scooter leaves a legacy of music and collaboration that his fans and the hip-hop community will remember.
