A local rapper in Ontario, Canada, whose stage name is “Lil OT,” has tragically died in what authorities believe is a “targeted attack.”
Lil OT, whose real name is Omer Niaz Muhammad, 24, died on Monday, Feb. 9, after he was shot in the neck in the parking lot outside of Kelsey’s restaurant at the Burlington Centre Mall, Complex reported. Halton Regional Police confirmed the shooting occurred around 10:00 PM. The rising rapper was immediately rushed to the hospital after being gunned down but succumbed to his wound shortly after being shot.
Police Believe Lil OT Was ‘Targeted’ by Gunman
Two men were seen fleeing the scene in a white SUV and are currently still at large, CP24 reported. The SUV was later located in the City of Hamilton, where it was abandoned and set on fire.
As authorities investigate a motive and search for the assailants, Constable Jeff Dillon made a statement to local news outlets reporting at the scene that he believes Lil OT was the intended target of the shooting, noting that the public is not at risk.
“We do believe this was a targeted incident, and we do not believe there is any known risk to public safety,” Dillon said. “When you are in a wide-open parking lot like this and a gun is fired, it was lucky that nobody else was struck. It shows a rampant disregard for anyone else who may have been here.”
Just three years earlier, in 2023, Lil OT miraculously survived a drive-by shooting at his family home in Hamilton, Ontario. The Sun reported that despite 52 bullets being fired, not one of the six individuals inside the home sustained an injury. The gunman, Ahmed Issak-Hussan, pleaded guilty for the 2023 shooting and remains in prison as he awaits his sentencing.
Fans Honor Lil OT in Heartfelt Tributes
Following news of his death, fans of the rapper flocked to his Instagram, where they commented their grieving condolences under several of his music videos.
“City needs to do better this kid was not a threat rip 🕊️,” wrote one.
“Remember bumping this my freshman year man R.I.P. 🙏🏽,” said another, referring to one of Lil OT’s tracks.
“Always listened to this daily rip big dawg,” added a third.
In a previous interview directed by Wipedown, Lil OT was asked how a family member should deal with the death of a loved one, to which the rapper responded, “Everybody copes different.” Lil OT noted that over the years, he was impacted differently by several of his friends’ deaths depending on what stage of life he was at.
