Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was assaulted by a group of unknown men at a gym sauna in South Florida on March 21.
Hernandez was reportedly hanging out at the LA Fitness sauna when the attack occurred.
His attorney, Lance Lazzaro, stated that Hernandez was minding his own business when he was jumped and beaten by the group of men.
Despite Hernandez’s best efforts to defend himself, the attackers were too many, and they inflicted serious injuries on the rapper.
The incident caused a commotion in the gym, and staff immediately called for emergency services.
Police and an ambulance arrived at the gym, and Hernandez was taken to the hospital.
A photo posted by TMZ shows Hernandez sitting on a hospital bed with cuts and bruises on his face. The attack left him with injuries to his jaw, ribs, and back.
Tekashi 6ix9ine left bruised and bloodied after ambush attack inside gym sauna. https://t.co/kTrbDOV9lO
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 22, 2023
It is unknown why the group of men attacked the rapper.
Hernandez’s attorney, Lance Lazzaro, stated that he would be calling on federal authorities to provide protection for Hernandez when he is out in public.
Hernandez did not have any security with him when he was at the gym.
Lazzaro believes that this might need to change after Hernandez snitched on some of his fellow gang members to the police.
Hernandez was arrested in 2018 and faced nine overlapping charges for gun possession, attempted murder, and gang activity.
He initially pleaded not guilty, but then switched his plea to guilty as of January 2019. During this same time period, it was reported that Hernandez had decided to cooperate with the government.
However, it was later revealed that he had begun working with the prosecution the very next day after his arrest.
He was facing nearly 50 years behind bars, but that sentence was reduced to just two after he cooperated with the prosecution.
While many called Hernandez a snitch for cooperating with the government, he insisted back in 2021 that he was doing the right thing.
He stated in an interview with TMZ, “I wasn’t snitching. What I was doing was being smart and realized that God put me there to cut more grass to see the snakes in my grass.”
The assault on Hernandez highlights the dangers that come with being a public figure, particularly one with a controversial past.
It is unclear whether the attack was related to Hernandez’s previous legal troubles or if it was a random act of violence.
Regardless, it is important to recognize that violence should never be the answer, and that all individuals, regardless of their past, deserve to feel safe in their daily lives.
