Dancehall Artiste Rygin King arrested in New York City on gun charges
Dancehall star Rygin King has been apprehended in New York City on multiple weapons possession charges, as confirmed by Jamaica Live. Jamaica Live verified with the NYPD 113 Precinct that the charges comprise criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (loaded firearm), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (ammunition clips), possession of an ammunition feeding device, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
According to confirmed report by Jamaica Live, the 29-year-old artiste, whose real name is Matthew Smith, was apprehended by the NYPD 113th Precinct’s ‘Midnight Public Safety Team’ on Monday, July 8. According to a police officer from the NYPD 113th Precinct, at 4:20 am, the suspect was at the corner of 179th Street and 144th Road in Jamaica, Queens. Although the circumstances preceding Smith’s encounter with the police remain unclear, he was taken into custody at 4:30 am by the Midnight Public Safety Team. He was found in possession of a loaded handgun.
He was arraigned on the charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday (July 12) at 9 AM in the Queens Supreme Criminal Court. King is being represented by attorney Marc B. Laykind, who was appointed by the court.
Five others were also apprehended and are facing similar charges. Ileene Parker-Smith, 41, stands accused of criminal possession of a weapon. Kemor Palmer, 30, faces the same charge. Verol Tate, 30, has also been charged, while Rashaun Luton, 27, levied with identical allegations.
In New York, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, known as the “top charge,” carries a statutory minimum required sentence of three and a half years in prison, typically for an individual with no prior criminal record. The maximum sentence is fifteen years. However, the officer informed Jamaica Live that the courts generally determine sentencing based on varying circumstances, which she was unable to elaborate on further.
According to DanceMag, in 2020, Rygin King was traveling in the Struie district of Westmoreland when one of the three vehicles in his entourage encountered an accident. They had stopped at the accident scene for approximately 45 minutes to assess the damage when another vehicle approached with two men, who then opened fire.
Sashalee Blackwood, the 28-year-old wife of King’s manager, was sitting inside one of the vehicles with two children and was fatally shot.
King, who fled into a ditch, sustained three gunshot wounds. He spent several weeks in medical facilities, transferring at one point due to security concerns and undergoing critical surgical procedures.
He remains confined to a wheelchair ever since the incident. The assailants escaped and have not been identified.
King left Jamaica in the summer of 2021 to seek consultation with orthopedic specialists in the United States. He reportedly commenced therapy for his condition in the country.
His debut album, Therapy (2022), was inspired by his rehabilitation journey. The album includes tracks such as the title song “Therapy,” “Circumstances,” and “Broken.”
The New York City #onelessgun campaign aims to reduce gun violence in the City