Video Footage Of Dababy Contradicts His “Self-Defense” Claim

The 2018 Shooting Resulted In The Death Of 19-Year-Old Jaylin Craig

The case dates back four years when rapper DaBaby and his entourage were reportedly at a Walmart in Huntersville, North Carolina.

DaBaby then shot and killed 19-year-old Jaylin Craig at the store. He has repeatedly claimed self-defense for his actions, but the new video evidence does not support this claim.

According to the previously unseen security footage released by Rolling Stone, the deadly confrontation, appears to contradict crucial components of DaBaby's statement.

DaBaby was the initial aggressor in which he ended up killing the 19-year-old Jaylin Craig.

In the footage, the victim is seen getting into an argument with Dababy, who then jumps the teenager. The rapper claims that he tried to rob him and that he acted in self-defense.

However, in the footage, there is no evidence of attempted robbery or self-defense.

In the DaBaby's statement, he claimed he was acting out of concern for his family's safety, recalling an encounter with two young males who allegedly threatened him and brandished a gun when he was out shopping with his then-partner and their children.

The rapper stated that he fired his own gun in self-defense and to protect his family.

LaWanda Horsley, Craig's mother, speaks to Rolling Stone about the investigation into her son's death: “I feel like they just swept it up under the rug. He knows what he did. I'm not doing this for no fame or anything, because at the end of the day, Jaylin Craig is gone.”

According to Craig's relatives and closest friend, Henry Douglas, DaBaby allegedly became upset that the teenagers had recognized him, and he apparently insisted they take things outside for a fight.

The video clearly shows the victim's friend Douglas standing near DaBaby as the rapper punches him in the face in surprise, despite the rapper's claim that the teens proposed to fight.

Douglas suffered a bruised eye socket and a laceration in his forehead that required stitches as a result of the accident.

The victim appears to grab a gun from his belt in one frame of tape just after DaBaby's initial attack on Douglas, but as he moves out of sight, he appears to proceed to put it back.

DaBaby then pulls a concealed Glock from his waistband and mortally shoots Craig in later footage from the altercation, in which it's unclear whether or not the teenager is flashing his gun.

Based on video footage, witness testimony, and a gun found near Craig's body, investigators determined he had a gun, but it's unclear if he displayed it as he approached the two men.

There have been multiple occasions where DaBaby has bragged about the events of that tragic Monday evening. During 2020 nationwide smash hit “Rockstar,” he boasted that his one-year-old daughter saw him murder someone, praising her as a gangster.

DaBaby produced a music video for his song “No Tears” four days after the teenager's death, assembling local television footage of the mayhem for the song's opening, with lyrics noting the murder despite the case still being investigated.

As far as details outside of his music are concerned, DaBaby has been more discreet. He has always maintained that he acted in self-defense, defending his then-partner Mariah Osborne and their two young children as the family was out shopping.

The rapper has maintained his innocence to this day, alleging that Craig and Douglas had been stalking him and waiting in nearby areas until they finally approached him, allegedly threatening him and pulling a gun, forcing him to pull his own weapon and shoot the teenager.

The investigation was closed in June of this year. DaBaby was not charged with the killing of Craig, but he was given a year of probation and a suspended sentence for carrying a concealed weapon.

This incident is not surprising given previous reports of DaBaby's violent actions in the past.

Throughout the past years, DaBaby has been gaining notoriety for his violent actions. It wasn't even a day ago that we saw him punching one of his artists.

Not even a month ago DaBaby was involved in a shooting on his North Caroline estate.  DaBaby was confirmed as the shooter. The rapper said: “I shot him in the leg… he was trespassing on my property.”

A few months ago Brandon Bills, DaBaby's ex-girlfriend's brother was involved in a fight with the rapper, he was grabbed by his hair and “jumped” at a bowling alley.

In response to the video released by Rolling Stone DaBaby tweeted: “No disrespect to my boy Tyrese but damn bruh What more do you want from meeee?”

DaBaby's violent actions are not surprising considering his history; there were several other incidents where the rapper has been violent with people and he definitely needs anger management.