Rapper Huey Dead at 32 After Fatal Shooting

In a sudden turn of events, rapper Huey has passed away, the St. Louis County Police Department confirmed. The performer, née Lawrence Franks Jr., was 32 years old.

Per police, Huey was brought to a local hospital on Thursday night after suffering "at least one apparent gunshot wound." The rapper was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, according to a press release issued by Sergeant Benjamin Granda. 

A second person, described as a 21-year-old man, remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after he arrived to the Ferguson Police Department and was then transported for treatment, police confirmed. 

According to authorities, the incident took place around the front yard of a home in Kinloch, Mo. and is currently under homicide investigation. Any witnesses are encouraged to contact investigators as detectives believe as many as 10 people were near the crime scene at the time, a press release noted. 

The late rapper rose to fame with the now classic 2000s song, which went on to amass major success in 2007 and spent 23 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, peaking at number six and popularizing a related dance. 

Reacting to the news on social media, fans paid tribute to Huey by reminiscing about his beloved song. 

"R.i.p to huey," one tweet read. "'Pop, lock and drop it' was part of my childhood."