Family, friends, and fans are mourning the tragic death of 17-year-old rapper Rylo Huncho, whose real name was Raleigh Freeman III. The young artist, known for his tracks “Money Getta,” “Bag Talk,” and “La la la,” had garnered a following on Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok. Unfortunately, Huncho accidentally shot himself while filming a video for social media on May 15, and he was pronounced dead the following day at a local hospital.
The Suffolk Police Department confirmed that a teenager had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which appeared to be accidental. Although the police did not identify the victim, family and friends confirmed it was Huncho. A video circulating on social media captured the moments leading up to his untimely death. In the video, Huncho can be seen singing and dancing while holding a pistol equipped with a green laser light. He deactivates the weapon’s safety and points it at his head before a gunshot is heard and the camera drops.
Following the incident, Huncho’s cousin set up a GoFundMe page for his mother, Monica Savage, who spoke out about the tragedy. Savage expressed her shock and grief, stating she was unaware that her son had a gun. The GoFundMe page highlighted that Huncho was her only child and described their close relationship.
The incident has sparked conversations about gun safety, particularly among teenagers. GIFFORDS Law Center’s Research Director, Kelly Drane, emphasized the importance of parents taking steps to ensure their guns are not accessible to their children. Drane noted that approximately 76 teenagers die from unintentional gunshot wounds each year, with around 40% being self-inflicted. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for gun safety measures to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
