Killer Mike Flips Recent Atlanta Barbershop Shooting Into Teachable Moment
Atlanta, GA – Killer Mike isn’t just one half of Run The Jewels, he’s also the brains behind The SWAG Shop barbershops in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. But according to the Outkast affiliate, the original location suffered substantial damage after it was struck by several stray bullets on Saturday night (February 20).
Mike addressed the incident in a lengthy Instagram post and called for peace.
“Last night at 1am (non biz hours) while I was in the booth I got a call ‘Mike the OG Store windows where shot out,’” he explained in the caption. “It was not a personal attack but it was black men who cud not shoot for shit shooting at one another. I am not upset as property can be replaced. I am sorry to my customers as this will continue pause the re launch of the OG SWAG Shop barber Shop & store.
“I wanna say to the brothers tho. Please consider what would have happened if one of y’all actually hit one another. The jail, the lawyer fees, the funeral cost and two black families loss. I’m glad y’all cud not hit the side of a barn with a shot gun cuz this am y’all all are alive.”
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Mike went on to express his gratitude for his employees and the local police who quickly sprung into action. He also revealed the shooting would delay The SWAG Shop’s grand re-opening that was scheduled for later this month.
“To my friends, Jerome, @realdjswiff, @supa_r3d & SWAG Shop Marketing and Promo employee @mrstealyourwig1 THANK y’all for holding Shit down and getting us boarded up,” he continued. “I am blessed to have y’all. To the folks at @burnloungeatl thank y’all for helping us clean up and security watching out for our folks.
“To south fulton police thank y’all as well for staying on site for my folks. Being a biz owner connected to the community this one hurt as no body else’s (meaning non black) was affected and simply becuz of tempers and poor decisions our biz is being stifled. As we planned on opening back up this month we will now take a LiL longer but to College Park, Union City, City of South Fulton and the Red Oak Community we love and respect y’all and will be back ASAP.”
The latest shooting follows a string of gun violence in the ATL. In July 2020, Atlanta-based rapper Marlo was also shot and killed in what investigators believed was a “targeted shooting.” Four months later, Chicago rapper King Von was murdered outside of an Atlanta hookah bar during an altercation with Quando Rondo’s crew while just last month, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” rapper Silento was arrested for allegedly shooting his cousin to death in the Deep Shoals Circle area.