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Rapper shot to death at Palmdale McDonald’s

by Luis Meza and M. Dilworth • November 6, 2014

The fatal shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. inside the McDonald’s on the 37200 block of 47th Street East in Palmdale. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The fatal shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. inside the McDonald’s on the 37200 block of 47th Street East in Palmdale. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

PALMDALE – Authorities Thursday night were still searching for the gunman who shot and killed a man at a Palmdale McDonald’s in front of more than a dozen lunchtime customers.

The daylight shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. inside the McDonald’s on 47th Street East and Avenue S, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The gunman approached the victim from behind, so the victim never saw him coming and there was no altercation leading up to the shooting, detectives said. (LUIS MEZA)
The gunman approached the victim from behind, so the victim never saw him coming, and there was no altercation leading up to the shooting, detectives said. (LUIS MEZA)

The victim was eating alone when he was attacked, Corina said.

“While he was sitting there, someone walked up behind him and shot him,” Corina said, adding that witnesses saw no altercation before the shooting.

“This guy just walked in through one door, shot him and left out another door. So it looked like something personal, like he had something against this individual,” Corina said. “It wasn’t like he shot up the McDonald’s. He just walked up to this individual, shot him and left.”

Family members identified the victim as 38-year-old Habib Ameer Zekajj. (Contributed)
Family members identified the victim as 38-year-old Habib Ameer Zekajj. (Contributed)

About 15 to 20 patrons were inside the restaurant when the victim was shot in his upper torso, Corina said. The gunman was last seen running out of the McDonald’s on foot, he added.

Authorities are still trying to determine the motive for the shooting.

“We’re not sure if it’s gang-related, drug-related or just personal,” Corina said. “He walked up from behind him, so the victim never saw him coming.”

The suspect was described only as an adult black male, Corina said, but detectives would be reviewing surveillance video from the location.

About 15 to 20 patrons were inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting, detectives said. (LUIS MEZA)
About 15 to 20 patrons were inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting, detectives said. (LUIS MEZA)

“The McDonald’s, of course, has video and then the Chevron also has video,” he said. ”Right now, we’re being told there’s just one suspect.”

The McDonald’s restaurant and the adjacent Chevron gas station were closed to the public all day as homicide detectives conducted their investigation.

Family members of the victim came to the crime scene Thursday evening and spoke with homicide detectives. One of them said the victim was her brother, and she identified him as 38-year-old Habib Ameer Zekajj. Sources said the victim was a rap artist who went by the stage name of Bigg Paybacc.

The victim’s identity could not be confirmed with coroner’s officials Thursday night.

Anyone with information on this shooting is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

53 comments for "Rapper shot to death at Palmdale McDonald’s"

  1. Anonymous says

    January 24, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    He raped a girl. Big brother handled it, nuff said.

  2. Ashley says

    November 10, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    No one deserves to be gunned down in cold blood no matter what there is no excuse for this. It is foolish and not necessary.

    • josie says

      November 21, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      Does anybody realize its been weeks and not even a mug shot of shooter no sketch nothing this isnt odd to anyone? 30 witness and nothing oh im sorry it was a black guy thats it??? Wtf palmdale most wanted has jay walkers picture flashing on channel 3 every ten min no suspect hard to believe at mcds and chevron all cameras off missed him ??? Come on this is a bigger set up then a set up palmdale knows something just saying people open your eyes this is a palmdale set up shooting some high wanted this man dead

  3. Royalty says

    November 9, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Wear purple, the blending of red and blue.

  4. bird says

    November 9, 2014 at 7:31 am

    It didn’t happen this time! Children caught in the crossfire, killed by cowardly gang members. He died the way he said he would kill. Now the killer will be hunted, and the wheel going nowhere will keep spinning. There is a price to be paid when you take someone’s breath. Gang members kill children, rape children, kill the vulnerable, kill each other, and there will be consequences for your hate.

  5. nov7 says

    November 7, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    It was over so quick and it being this one guy
    Being targeted that’s probably why they didn’t
    Lock down schools.

  6. Tyrone Jones says

    November 7, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    That’s what happens when u [removed] wit them lancaster B.I.Gkilla

    • 1057_killa says

      November 7, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      [removed] u sound stupid u would never have tha bulls to even say anything to tha homeie or tha B.I.G .u must be a internet ThuG who are you TYRONE? ANYWAYS G.I.P paybacc

      • Jessica says

        November 9, 2014 at 4:10 am

        Amen !!![removed] anyone speaking off on my [removed]

        • T says

          November 11, 2014 at 11:26 am

          Are you really trying to beef? Is it really called for, you want to fight, and shoot guns? Join the military, stop putting this stupid stuff in the same neighborhoods children play in, you want to act like animals? Act like animals, but take it somewhere else.. You all are obviously grown, and there is no need to sit here and stir the pot, now as I said, you want to fight, for for the country you reside, and stop fighting in the country you reside. We are civilized Americans with freedoms, don’t take it for granted,

          God bless

  7. callitasitis says

    November 7, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    This happen all the time (LA TIMES homocide BLOG) in south central and east LA, we are getting there very quickly. We in the AV have real gangster (LA types) and minor league gangster (Lancaster/Palmdale home grown/ taggers) and what a be gangsters. Life as a gangster does not look very promising; dead or in prison or if any luck a rapper star. Where are those community leaders intervention plan? Talk is cheap where is the actions? Waiting on Federal grant? State grant? LASD is good at catching the criminals but the community birth them and they need to get in involved on the ground floor level with all these media show boating community leaders in the AV.

  8. mars says

    November 7, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Maybe the police can solve this crime or add it to the 9 listed unsolved or. The n add to missing cases here in Palmdale or maybe yet hope. Everyone forgets about it and moves on.Hey thats Whats Palmdale about right!?! Politics or free paycheck anyone…

  9. mars says

    November 7, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    This is sad on so many levels…My children also attend Cimarron. Elementary. Which is downn 45th street down the block next to Kaiser. How loong did it take police to get there and why didnt schools go on lock down??? This shooting was much closer than last weeks????!!!! Do police know how to do there jobs or do they need more time to. Learn how?!

    • Ms ford says

      November 7, 2014 at 5:49 pm

      Obviously Not!!!!!! They’re never where they should be

      • Not a Cop Anymore says

        November 7, 2014 at 6:09 pm

        Wrong……there are actually unclothed police and informants working in that area……they can’t police everything 100%…that would entail a police state……then people would start complaining….apparently people love security but don’t like being controlled…if people want a 100% controlled environment then they should just go to prison…..but even there the guards can’t control the inmates.

        Americans need to change their violent culture before blaming the guards that guard them. The victim promoted a violent lifestyle and died so…it the culture that needs to change.

        Just look at Japan.

        • Nancy P says

          November 8, 2014 at 10:37 pm

          “unclothed police”? I really want to see this!

    • Gg says

      November 8, 2014 at 4:53 am

      Maybe you should become one and teach them.

  10. Steven says

    November 7, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    um….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSqqMjHSdjA

    • heyney says

      November 7, 2014 at 12:56 pm

      Their mothers must be so proud

    • mike says

      November 9, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Video full of suspects!!

  11. UGuess says

    November 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Everyone with comments about Palmdale being the “hood” and “ghetto” are so disillusioned (yes, I can spell). Truth be told, murder is murder, plain and simple. What about the McStay famly murders? A husband, wife and two young sons? The murderer was not some gangsta, Crip or rapper. He was a business associate of the husband. What about the kids that decide to go into their high school and shoot their classmates?
    All murders are just senseless, no matter WHO commits the act. Get your head out of the clouds, you can’t see the forest for the trees.

  12. Lisa Marie says

    November 7, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Palmdale is not ghetto, it’s the folks that move into Palmdale and bring all that [removed] from LA and East LA. Folks work hard and commute daily move to Palmdale to be able to buy a home for their families. Some younger generations keep the violence going.

  13. done says

    November 7, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Gang culture is the culture of peace, just like Islam is the religion of piece. These guys weren’t really part of it, they were just wannabes!

  14. Les says

    November 7, 2014 at 8:51 am

    I just watched an interview with him and he identifies himself as a Crip.
    It’s too bad that individuals such as this and those he that perceive him as having “dissed” them bring this kind of violence to innocent bystanders and business owners.
    I feel bad for that witnessed this and the businesses that lost revenue due to being closed. I do not feel bad for this thug that CHOSE his lifestyle.

  15. joe says

    November 7, 2014 at 7:24 am

    Another Miracle on 47th Street.

    • Kim says

      November 7, 2014 at 7:54 am

      Absolutely!

      • Patty Cake says

        November 7, 2014 at 12:03 pm

        A Crip. Still, no reason to shoot him in a crowded restaurant. There IS A GANG PROBLEM in the AV. They may all live next door to each other and in the past not declare territory, but, it might be happening.
        What happened to the war on gangs that Mayor Rex (in Lancaster) proclaimed years ago. Did it go by the weigh side for his law firms job security?
        This is so sad for the all the people who had to witness this terrible act. It will stay with the children for years.
        People who commit these crimes, and their families, seem to be immune to the pain they cause. They just brush it off and finish their lunch. Sadness, tears and terror have been replaced blank stares and sometimes what appears to be a adrenaline rush.

        • frankrizzo says

          November 9, 2014 at 4:03 pm

          This happened in Palmdale, not Lancaster, are you going to blame Parris for Fox not getting re elected next? Going to blame him for the next shooting in Los Angeles?

          • William says

            November 9, 2014 at 8:02 pm

            Are you new, frankrizzo?

            Parris has enough stuff to be blamed for already.

            Haven’t you been paying attention?

          • IRex says

            November 10, 2014 at 8:08 am

            I agree 100% with Frank Rizzo. How can you blame Rex for this? It is unfair and just goes to show the paranoia about Rex that exists. If you want to blame Rex for anything, blame him for wasting ten million dollars on the piece of crap LEAPS that is as useful as an appendix. Blame him for suing our neighboring cities and wasting taxpayer dollars. Blame him for suing Starwood. Blame him for trying to sneak birth tourism past us. Blame him for thinking bird sounds will lower crime on the BLVD. Blame him for being part of the brain trust that put all the social services in Lancaster right near the BLVD and train station and for him being all upset because it attracts homeless people. Blame him for getting into a fight with David Abber at 24 Hour Fitness. Blame him for ramming a Walmart up the back end of the good people of Quartz Hill. Blame him for the massive debt we have and for our bonds dropping to junk bond status. Blame him for mistreating people who attend city council meetings. Blame him for the lame excuses he put forward when his wife got nailed trying to board a plane with a gun. Blame him for preaching the evils of fossil fuels while bragging about his private plane.

            But please don’t blame him for a gang shooting in a Palmdale McDonalds.

          • bird says

            November 10, 2014 at 10:47 am

            I agree 100% with IRex!

  16. bird says

    November 7, 2014 at 7:06 am

    Well apparently none of us should be slippin! Face the door at all times, to see who’s coming and going, and pay attention to your surroundings at all times. This time it was personal, but most of the time it’s someone that wants what you have. 2nd amendment rights people, so you can protect yourself and your family. I know there are plenty of guns on the streets that are clean. Citizens would be shocked to know just how many.

  17. Justanotherwhiteboy says

    November 7, 2014 at 6:46 am

    Well I’m not one bit surprised, if you want to rap about being a gangsta and killing people good for you but don’t expect to gain sympathy when you get popped in the same way you talk about in your raps. Live by the gun die by the gun. eat or be eaten. Primitive behavior at its finest!

    • whiteboy227 says

      November 7, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Very ignorant

  18. Realityset says

    November 7, 2014 at 6:23 am

    This is what happens when a real one slips and don’t keep his peepers up. You catz who are real and solid in them streets doing yo thang can’t be slippen like that. We see homie didn’t have the nuts to face him but he did have the nuts to kill him on sight. In the 80’s [removed] like this went down all the time when a gangsta slips going to get something to eat. But this is not the 80’s or 90’s! There is camera’s everywhere so he’s going to get cought fasho. Bigg Paybacc was a street soulja and wit it, so he had enemies, so he should have been on point at all times. He had talent and I think he could have made it in the rap game because he was real with it. My conduliences goes out to his family. R.I.P Bigg Paybacc! A real one down!

    • gh says

      November 7, 2014 at 11:18 am

      I can’t believe that ignorance like this still exists.

      • jawknee says

        November 9, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        Believe it. This is our “future”..

    • ERIK says

      November 7, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      The youth of today have no idea what talent is. Especially when you’re rhyming words about killing people. Gang members are domestic terrorists and a cancer on the community. They have no talent, no education, no ambition, no feelings for others, and no will to change. If that means being “real” or “wit it” then count me in as being “fake” and “wit out.”
      McDonalds is a family restaurant where a mom or dad can take their kid to grab a bite. For a man to take a gun in there and murder someone in cold blood is absolutely heartless. But, as Paybacc said in his lyrics “I’ll have your mother on her knees screaming’ with a cross in her hand.” I hope the police department gets everyone of these guys off of the street.

    • heyney says

      November 7, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      ” A Real One” a rea one what? A gangter, a hustler, a soulja??? How about being a REAL MAN….be a productive member of society a positive influence to the kids in our neighborhoods. You want to be a soldier, go fight for our country not some piece of a neighborhood block. This is ridiculous and a shame that you and any other bs so called gangster subject anyone to your violence disgusting lack of respect for yourselves or anyone else. My condolences to the family and the shame brought on from the “soujas” involved but more so to the community and families that live in town and have to be a part of the sensless acts of ignorant boys. CLEAN UP OUR COMMUNITIES….move the trash out you arent welcome!!!

      • ERIK says

        November 8, 2014 at 10:55 pm

        Great comment, heyney. I could not have said it better myself. Guys like Paybacc put everyone around them at risk just by stepping out of the house. He was just as much at fault as the perpetrator who shot him. He set himself up to be a target through his music and his affiliations. I love your point about the armed forces. If they want to defend something bigger than themselves then the armed forces are a great place to start and the only place where they will get the respect and credibility that they crave. Unfortunately these guys were born with disdain for authority and society. Too many years of gang violence have gone by and every year pop culture glorifies it more and more. I no longer believe in behavioral rehabilitation for gang members. They are terrorist plain and simple and should be treated as such.

    • Noel Jones says

      November 7, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Gang Banging is Alive
      Yet More Black Men Die!
      Street Soldiers with Ambition
      Hustlers with Ammunition!
      My Brother, My Goon
      Gone Way Too Soon

  19. George Smith says

    November 7, 2014 at 5:18 am

    Lived the gangsta life, dies the gansta way. Nothing to see here… move along.

  20. Mark says

    November 7, 2014 at 3:41 am

    Where’s Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and Eric Holder?

    Extremely Ironic that he rapped about shooting a guy while he’s eating breakfast..

    Palmdale is Ghetto!

    • Les says

      November 7, 2014 at 9:03 am

      This had nothing to do with Palmdale and everything to do the individuals involved.

      • Mark says

        November 7, 2014 at 9:14 am

        It has everything to do with Palmdale. Les is less then more, more or les.

        “You people” who say bad stuff happens everywhere are the problem.

        At least there’s one les hoodlum in the hood.

        • ERIK says

          November 7, 2014 at 12:02 pm

          You are right. It has a lot to do with Palmdale. This guy was connected with Palmdale via N. Hollywood and raps about it in is music. One video shows him in the desert outside of Palmdale burying a body. But, not every gang member in Palmdale is an ally. Someone put a green light on this creep and judging by his music, he had it coming.

      • mars says

        November 7, 2014 at 1:59 pm

        Has to do with Palmdale now!

  21. Angel says

    November 7, 2014 at 1:48 am

    I Give His Family My Conduliences That Was A Fd Up Move Tho

    • LindaS says

      November 7, 2014 at 9:48 am

      FYI – CONDOLENCE (noun): expression of sympathy.

  22. ERIK says

    November 7, 2014 at 1:02 am

    Judging by this guy’s music this was inevitable. He was mixed up in all kinds of stuff. In one of his songs he talks about approaching a guy eating breakfast in an IHOP and killing him. Ironic?

  23. TERREL says

    November 7, 2014 at 12:10 am

    I was there with my daughter 30 minutes before the shooting happened I’m so glad we decided to take the food home

  24. Junglist says

    November 6, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    This was a very brazen homicide.

    • Mark says

      November 7, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Nothing brazen about it when you have no respect for human life.

      Just another day being a hoodlum in the hood

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