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Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Back issues
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Rapper Killed in Fight Over Candy, Dad Says

ATLANTA (CN) - An aspiring rapper was shot to death at Gucci Mane's recording studio in a fight over candy, the dead man's father claims in court.

Mark Hamilton, father of the late Mario "Slim Dunkin" Hamilton, sued Radric Davis pka Gucci Mane, his recording company Brick Squad Records, several affiliates, and the alleged shooter, Vinson Hardimon aka Young Vito, in Fulton County State Court.

Hamilton claims that Hardimon, 29, killed his 24-year-old son in December 2011, as his son was about to shoot a hip-hop video with Davis.

A Fulton County jury in February found Hardimon guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and gun possession charges, but acquitted him of murder and felony murder. Hardimon was sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to the lawsuit.

Mario Hamilton died at Zone 6 Studio in east Atlanta as he prepared to do a video called "Push Ups" for a CD to produced and distributed by defendant Warner Bros. Music International, according to the complaint.

Hamilton's father claims that Hardimon or someone associated with him accused Hamilton of "tampering with his candy." Hardimon confronted his son and punched him and the men fought, the father says.

The two men were separated, but Hardimon pulled a gun and killed his son with one shot, Mark Hamilton says in the complaint.

He claims that Davis, the studio, which is partly owned by Hardimon, the recording company and the distribution company knew Hardimon had a propensity for violence, but failed to provide security for his son.

He claims that Hardimon was already a felon before he shot his son, and that the defendants did nothing to stop the rampant use of illegal drugs at the studio.

Hamilton seeks compensatory and punitive damages for negligence, gross negligence and wrongful death.

He is represented by Myrlin Earle of Decatur.

Named as defendants are Radric Davis aka Gucci Mane, Vinson Hardimon aka Young Vito, Neeki Properties dba Zone 6 Studio, Brick Squad Records, Brick Squad Music Group dba Brick Squad Monopoly and Brick Squad Music, Warner Bros. Music International, and Kay Francis Palmore and Jonathon Fernando Howard dba Star Status.

Davis, Neeki Properties and Brick Squad could not be reached for comment.

Davis, 33, is in DeKalb County jail on gun charges and faces federal gun charges and aggravated assault charges in Fulton County.

Davis, a felon, displayed a loaded firearm on two occasions and threatened several people, including police officers and his attorney, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Warner Bros. Music did not respond to a request for comment.

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