Bloodhound Q50
Bloodhound Q50 was ambushed in his Tesla car and by multiple gunmen bloodybruddaq50/Instagram

Chicago rapper BloodHound Q50 has reportedly been shot and killed at the age of 22 after gunmen opened fire on his car in an early‑morning ambush at a petrol station in the city.

Q50, whose real name was Mikquale Cooper, was reportedly sitting in the driver's seat of a white Tesla at a BP petrol station in Chicago's Fuller Park neighbourhood when two vehicles pulled alongside him and opened fire shortly before 4am on Sunday, September 13.

The Chicago Police Department confirmed that a 22‑year‑old man was fatally shot in the incident. While police had not initially publicly identified the victim, dispatch audio circulating online appeared to identify him as Cooper.

Gunmen Opened Fire on Rapper's Car

According to a preliminary police account reported by CWB Chicago, six gunmen travelling in two vehicles fired more than 50 rounds at Cooper's car. The attackers reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, with reports identifying the vehicles as a black Acura sedan and a silver Honda Accord.

Cooper suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and shoulder. Responding officers attempted to provide medical assistance at the scene, but he was later pronounced dead.

No arrests had been announced in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, and authorities had not publicly established a motive. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.

Q50 Had Been Building a Rapidly Rising Career

The reported killing comes as Q50 was beginning to establish himself within Chicago's drill-rap scene.

The rapper had started pursuing music seriously in 2023 and had released several projects during a remarkably short career, including Hall of Fame, Bloody Storm and Get Back or Die Trying.

His latest album arrived on August 6, coinciding with his 22nd birthday. The project also featured an appearance from Bloodhound Lil Jeff, another member of Chicago's drill scene who was fatally shot in 2024.

Q50's music had increasingly attracted attention beyond Chicago, and he performed at Rolling Loud in Orlando earlier this year.

Final Social Media Post Draws Attention

Following reports of his death, attention also turned to Q50's final social‑media activity. Reports said the rapper had posted an Instagram Story several hours before the shooting, showing support for fellow rapper EST Gee and his newly released album Bigger Than the Devil.

The rapper had also been the subject of false reports concerning his safety weeks earlier. In August, social‑media rumours claimed that Q50 and members of his crew had been shot in St. Louis. He subsequently addressed the reports and indicated that he was safe.

Tributes From Hip‑Hop After Reported Killing

News of the reported killing prompted tributes from figures and organisations within hip‑hop. Rolling Loud, where Q50 performed earlier this year, shared a tribute following reports of his death. DJ Vlad also remembered the rapper, describing him as exceptionally media‑trained for his age and offering condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Q50's reported death is the latest loss for Chicago's drill‑rap community, which has repeatedly been affected by deadly violence. Investigators are continuing to piece together what led to the shooting, while fans mourn a young artist whose career was only beginning to gather momentum.

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