San Diego rapper Ryan Bowers shot by police after altercation, in critical condition
San Diego police have identified the man who was shot in a Midway District apartment by police last week following a suicide attempt as San Diego rapper and Nick Cannon-signee, Ryan Bowers.
Bowers, who was who was shot in the chest after cutting his own throat before approaching the officers with the weapon, remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. He is currently in critical condition.
According to San Diego police, three officers were sent to Bowers' apartment on Cauby Street, south of Midway Drive and west of Rosecrans Street, when one of Bowers' family members called police to report Bowers had just cut his own throat and needed emergency medical help.
When a family member let three officers inside the apartment to assist with the situation, Bowers pulled a knife out of his jacket pocket and raised it up toward the officers. After repeated commands to back up and drop the weapon, the police were forced to open fire on the rapper.
"The suspect went down almost immediately," police officials told reporters last week during a briefing outside the shooting scene. "First aid was rendered, medics were on scene almost immediately and the subject was transported to the hospital with at least one gunshot wound."
Police later determined Bowers had cut his throat before the officers arrived, but the injury that was considered life-threatening was the gunshot wound, Dupree said in an email.
Bowers, renowned locally as an Ocean Beach rapper famously signed to Nick Cannon's label, made his career debut on an early 2000's episode of MTV Made. The rapper proceeded to make waves locally and beyond with buzzing records alongside rap icons, such as DJ Premiere and The Game.
In an emotional statement made on Instagram following the devastating news, Nick Cannon wrote, "This honestly hurts my heart to have to post this right now, but I'm just requesting prayers and positive energy for my young guy! He had such a troubled and haunted journey when I first signed him that I wasn't aware of because he did it all with a smile. One of the nicest and sincere kids you could ever meet." You can read the full statement below.
This honestly hurts my heart to have to post this right now, but I'm just requesting prayers and positive energy for my young guy! @RyanBowersOB has to be one of the most talented and gifted youngsters I've ever met but more importantly one of the most resilient and strong spirits I've personally witnessed. He had such a troubled and haunted journey when I first signed him that I wasn't aware of because he did it all with a smile. One of the nicest and sincere kids you could ever meet. About 5 years ago I created a alternative rap group for him and @Kehlani along with a few other talented young artist called "PWD". They were all so dope that I invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in them. They had amazing songs with @E40 @losangelesconfidential @djpremier and more. They toured with @therealtechn9ne and even performed on Wildnout, at SXSW and other festivals. And Bowers was the energy of the group, a writer, rapper, singer, skateboarder.😊! The kid could do it all, but like most of us he had his own demons and darkness that he struggled with. We would often talk about God and Spirituality and he got to a place where it all was confusing for him and he couldn't trust anyone. I told him I would always have his back and would be there for him so when I got the call today that he slit his throat and then immediately after the San Diego police shot him numerous times. My heart sunk. Through the grace of the Most High Ryan Bowers is still here with us, but he needs your prayers and positive energy. I promise you if my guy pulls through I will make the world know him and appreciate his amazing journey and gifts!! I love you my dude! I know you are going to pull through! 🙏🏾
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated Ryan Bowers was proclaimed dead. Bowers is currently still in a critical condition state as of 1:34pm PST, January 8th.
ANDY INTERNETS January 8, 2019
County approves plan to aide asylum seekers in San Diego
A Look Back: San Diego rave and party flyers, circa 1990-1999