The Jacka - A legendary East Bay hip-hop artist "The Jacka," has been shot and killed in East Oakland in the middle of a recording session in a van.
According to Oakland police reports, 37-year-old Jacka, whose real name is Dominic Newton, has been confirmed as the victim of a shooting on Monday night.
Reports indicate that the fatal incident happened around 8:15 p.m. at 94th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard.
"He was just making music," said Reggie Grant, who claims to be Jacka's long time friend and 'godbrother.' "Bullets don't have no names. I don't know who did it. He had problems with nobody. He'd give you his shoes off his feet. He gave jobs to lots of people."
Authorities have since opened an investigation into the fatal shooting. As of Tuesday nobody has been arrested in connection with the murder.
According to Grant, there were more than six people in the van recording music on Monday evening, and Jacka was outside the vehicle on the sidewalk when the shots rang out.
"Everyone was enjoying the night, just enjoying life," he said.
NBC Bay Area reports indicate that during the shooting, Jacka sustained a gunshot wound to the head. And before authorities arrived, a neighbor held to towel to his head, which was pouring with blood.
"I could see him take his last breathe," Grant said, adding that Jacka is survived by his wife and children.
The news of Jacka's death has since gone viral, especially on social media where fans and artists alike have been sending their condolences to his family with the hastag #RIPJacka.
Jacka, who began his rap career in the late 1990s as a member of rap group, the 'Mob Figaz,' is originally from Pittsburgh. He later went solo in the 2000s and formed his own label, The Artist Records. His latest record was a collaboration "Highway Robbery" with rapper Freeway.
