LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland rapper’s life and career has ended abruptly.
Raheem Bacon, 25, known by his rap name 350Heem, was shot outside Jade Fox Lounge early Saturday morning.
Bacon’s rap career was starting to take off. Friends said he was recently signed to a major label. Tragically his dreams were cut short following his album release party.
“I just heard the shots, and I ducked down. Once I heard it was over, I got back up, and that’s when I see Raheem. He was running off to the side. I just saw the look, the shock on his face. He was staggering about to fall, and he just fell on the side, right beside my driver's door,” said Isaac Harris.
Harris was sitting in his parked car when the shooting happened as 350Heem’s album release party was wrapping up. The party featured an appearance from the rapper’s older brother, former NBA player Dwayne Bacon.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, the shooting happened after a fight broke out in the parking lot at 1:51 a.m. Police said a 48-year-old woman and Bacon were both shot. Harris said he ran red lights to get Bacon to the hospital quickly.
“We got him in my passenger seat, and his sister drove along with me in the back seat. She helped assist, and I told her to hold the wound where he got shot at,” Harris said. “I told her to make sure he was still breathing the whole time we were driving there. I got there as soon as I could,” said Harris.
Despite the best efforts of emergency medical professionals, Bacon was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 48-year-old victim is in stable condition.
“The visual is still there. Just the look on his face when I saw him running up towards my car. It's still there. It's not erased yet,” said Harris.
Lakeland police have arrested 23-year-old Jamilah Johnson. A firearm was also recovered at the scene.
Johnson is currently being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Additional charges may be forthcoming based on lab results.
