Tragedy continues to befall the Chicago area, as yet another young life has been cut short as a result of gun violence.
As confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner, the latest victim is 32-year-old Dontay Banks, Jr. (aka OTF DThang), the older brother of Chicago rap star, Lil Durk. The shooting occurred on June 5 in Harvey, Illinois, located roughly 25 kilometers outside of Chicago. According to TMZ, DThang was shot in the head, and died instantly.
The initial report posted by Chicago Media Takeout Sunday morning indicated that DThang had been killed outside of the strip club, Club O:
“Prayers to the person who got shot outside Club O. We have to start partying in peace.”
The shooting comes just a day after the release of Durk’s new joint album with Lil Baby, The Voice of the Heroes, which he’d been heavily promoting on social media. Durk has yet to make a statement about his brother’s passing at this time (understandably), but there has been countless tributes from prominent members of the hip-hop community including Canadian superproducer Murda Beatz.
Murda’a Instagram Story post included the message:
“Rip DThang nothing but love since the Buffalo days 🙏🏻💙”
It wasn’t long ago that we had shared a Trap Lore Ross video which really magnified how much loss and tragedy Lil Durk has experienced in his lifetime. The amount of people he has lost from his inner circle is shocking. His artist King Von was the victim of a highly publicized murder back in November, and Durk just recently paid tribute to another close collaborator, multi-Platinum producer Turn Me Up Josh (real name Joshua Samuel).
“Rip turn me up josh smh,” Durk wrote in a May 31st tweet, and then “Rip Josh” again on June 4.
In previous years, Durk had lost various members of his inner circle including cousin, OTF Nunu, as well as manager/friend, OTF Chino Dolla, as well as several other friends and associates.
Our condolences to Durk and DThang’s family and friends. Sadly, DThang was just one of over 50 people (so far) to be shot in the Chicago area this weekend, including at least four other struck fatally. Rest In Peace to all of the victims.
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