Bloodhound Q50 Killed While Sitting in Tesla as Chicago Police Hunt Multiple Shooters

BloodHound Q50, the 22-year-old Chicago rapper born Mikquale Cooper, was reportedly killed early Sunday, 13 September, in Chicago's Fuller Park neighbourhood.

Police said a 22-year-old man was fatally shot while sitting in the driver's seat after two vehicles pulled alongside.

Chicago police did not publicly identify the victim in their initial account of the shooting. Subsequent reports and police dispatch audio identified him as Cooper, while tributes appeared online within hours of the attack.

The shooting happened at about 3.58am in the 4200 block of South Wentworth Avenue. Police said people in both approaching vehicles opened fire, striking the victim in the chest and shoulder before fleeing.

Bloodhound Q50 Shooting Reportedly Involved Six Gunmen

CWB Chicago reported, citing preliminary police information, that six gunmen fired more than 50 rounds during the attack. The outlet also reported that Cooper was sitting in a white Tesla at a petrol station when the shooting began. IBTimes UK has not independently confirmed the number of shooters or rounds fired.

CWB Chicago also reported that the attackers fled in a black Acura and a silver Honda Accord. Police publicly confirmed that two vehicles were involved, but the more specific descriptions emerged through preliminary reporting.

Video shared on Instagram by Akademiks appears to show Cooper leaving the petrol station before turning around and walking back inside. He then appears to speak briefly with a security guard before returning to the Tesla.

Moments later, several people wearing dark clothing and face coverings can be seen moving towards the vehicle as gunfire erupts. The footage does not establish their identities or what Cooper knew before the attack.

Akademiks wrote alongside the video, 'Q50 knew sum wasn't right smh.' That was his interpretation of the footage, not a conclusion investigators reached.

The distinction matters because online discussion quickly began filling gaps police had not publicly answered. Authorities had not announced a motive or identified any suspects as of Monday, 14 September.

BloodHound Q50 Tributes Follow Reports of His Death

BloodHound Q50 had built a growing audience within Chicago's drill scene before his reported death. His debut album, Long Live My Brudda He Prolly Kilt Yo Brudda, arrived in April 2025.

His latest project, Get Back Or Die Trying, was released on 6 August 2026, the day he turned 22. The nine-track album included a collaboration with the late Bloodhound Lil Jeff.

DJ Vlad, who previously interviewed Cooper, was among those who posted tributes on Sunday.

'He was the most media-trained rapper I've ever spoken to at his young age,' Vlad wrote on X. He added, 'My condolences to his family, friends, and fans.'

The killing gained immediate attention as footage apparently showing the moments before the shooting circulated across social media. The video helps establish a sequence of events but cannot answer the central questions facing investigators.

Police said the victim was sitting behind the wheel when two vehicles approached and people opened fire. The vehicles then fled the scene. No arrests had been announced as of Monday, and authorities had not publicly established a motive. The homicide investigation remained ongoing.