Investigation Continues After the Deaths of Naseem Stevens and Rapper BloodHound Q50

Naseem Stevens, 26, was shot and killed at a Grand Crossing gas station last Friday evening. This tragic event occurred a few hours after the funeral of Mi’KQuale Cooper, known as the rapper BloodHound Q50. Authorities are investigating a potential connection between Stevens’ shooting and the funeral.

Naseem’s mother, Karonna Williams, has observed online speculation about her son’s alleged ties with the BloodHounds street gang. Despite this, she emphasized that she refused to let these claims overshadow her son’s memory. She described him as charismatic, loving, and joyful, calling him a “ray of sunshine.”

I know what he is, Williams stated, defending her son’s character against rumors.

Williams recounted Stevens’ participation in the South Shore Drill Team during his youth, even performing in New York. Known as Poohman among his peers since middle school, he maintained this nickname as a social media handle, although his family called him Naseem.

Stevens had been through difficult times; he pleaded guilty to gun-related charges in 2022 and was sentenced to two years in prison. He experienced further legal issues after his release. Despite past struggles, Williams shared that Stevens was starting to rethink his life choices, especially with the pending arrival of his first child next year. Stevens was eager to be a father and build a future with his partner, according to Williams.

Williams last saw her son early Friday morning. She was unaware of his plans for that day or whether he attended Cooper’s funeral. However, a police report indicated a funeral sticker was on the car Stevens was driving at the time of the shooting. Cooper’s funeral had been held in Merrillville, Indiana earlier that day.

The report highlighted Cooper’s connections to the Grand Crossing area, although no definitive link between the two attacks has been confirmed. Less than two weeks before Stevens’ death, Cooper was killed at a gas station in Fuller Park. During this incident, six assailants attacked Cooper and a woman in a white Tesla. Cooper succumbed to his injuries, but the woman escaped unharmed.

The circumstances of Cooper’s death led to significant online speculation and tributes from his fellow artists. They admired his music production skills and authenticity. As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection to either shooting, and homicide detectives continued their investigation.