Police arrested two self-described rappers for illegal gun possession and a third for public intoxication after stopping their car in Pasadena on Wednesday night, officials said.
Officers stopped a car for speeding about 9:20 p.m. at North Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain Street, according to Pasadena Police Department Lt. Anthony Burgess. Upon approaching the car, officers could smell marijuana.
A search of the car turned up two loaded handguns, Burgess said.
Shaheed Finn, 24, of Las Vegas and James Haley, 24, of Los Angeles were booked on suspicion of weapon-related violations, Burgess said. A third person in the car, 29-year-old Marice Hopkins of Georgia, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.
The suspects told police they were rappers on their way to a show in Los Angeles, and that they had the weapons for protection.
According to county booking records, bail for Finn was set at $35,000 pending his initial court appearance. Haley was released from custody Thursday after posting a $35,000 bond, and Hopkins was released with a citation.
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3 thoughts on “Rappers Arrested for Gun Possession in Pasadena”
So let me get this straight- they were carrying loaded weapons in their car for protection, presumably without a permit? A reasonable person would conclude they anticipated the possibility they’d have to shoot someone if they felt threatened. If that kind of threat exists where they’re going, why would they go there, duh? To make a few bucks? Wow, what a brilliant decision. Am licensed with no concealed- carry permit; even I know the risk of getting caught doing that, even to protect myself from cretins like them on some of Pasadena’s streets. This isn’t about race- it’s about continuing to allow folks like them with disordered problem-solving abilities to roam free with few consequences, threatening community safety. A nice long stint in county jail seems in order- is that too much to ask as a concerned resident?
So, Kyle Rittenhouse can carry an illegal for him to have gun, kill someone and not get arrested on site but these guys cant carry a gun? I wonder what the difference is? That’s rhetorical of course.
After the number of shootings that have happened in a park a block from my home, I’m so glad they’re cracking down on those clowns. Carrying probably unlicensed weapons for protection? Yeah, right. If they anticipated violence at wherever they were performing, why go? Need the income? Get a safer job. It’s the culture, some will retort. So the culture sucks and it’s time to put an end to it, one or two idiots at a time. BTW, am a gun owner who’d never carry my handgun in my car- too easy for it to be stolen and potentially used in the commission of later crimes. According to a neighbor’s friend who live right near where this occurred, the area is rife with MS 13 and Bloods or Crips. A few months ago an officer told me there’s rivalry between Latino and black gangs at the moment. I applaud the PD being vigilant and stopping what they suspect are people up to no good. Time to clean up around here.