Raleigh Freeman III, a 17-year-old rapper from Suffolk, Virginia, known by his stage name Rylo Huncho, tragically died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while filming a music video on May 16, 2024. The incident left his family, friends, and the community in a state of shock.
The fatal accident occurred while Freeman was filming content for his social media platforms. A video posted on his Instagram story showed him handling a handgun with a green laser sight and flashlight. The situation turned fatal when Freeman aimed the weapon at his own head, disengaged the safety, and pulled the trigger while uttering, “F*** y’all n****s.” The gun fired, leading to his instant death.
Suffolk Police confirmed that the 17-year-old died when he acidentally shot himself in the head. Freeman was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared dead. The video that captured the incident has since been taken down from social media. However, it had already spread widely, causing distress and disbelief among his followers and the local community.
Freeman, an up-and-coming artist with 27,000 Instagram followers and roughly 680 monthly listeners on Spotify, was known for his dynamic performances. His music often contained themes of violence and sexuality. His songs “Money Getta” and “DOA” included lyrics about firearms and violence, mirroring a tough image admired by many young fans. However, his real-life circumstances were significantly different from his online persona.
Freeman’s mother, Monica Savage, expressed her grief to the local media over the loss of her only child. “When I came in the house and saw my son in his blood… I ran across the street, and I almost got hit by a car trying to save my son’s life,” she said. She remembered her son as an aspiring rapper with a dream of a successful music career. “He had some nice music on YouTube. He raps really well,” she added.
Savage also disclosed that she was unaware her son had access to a firearm. “I didn’t know he had a gun. I did not know he had that,” she stated. The police investigation is ongoing, focusing on how Freeman obtained the gun and the precise circumstances leading up to the accident.
To aid with funeral expenses, Freeman’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $15,000. Organized by Monica Savage and Diane Bryant, the page reads, “My aunt’s 17-year-old son recently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was her only child. She was a single mother who did her best to care for him.”
The community has rallied in support of Freeman’s family in the aftermath of the tragedy. A teacher from his school, Kara Dorsey, expressed her condolences and the profound impact of the incident on the students. “Yesterday, our school community suffered a loss. Though I never met this young man, I met one of his close friends and older cousin today. They spent their lunch walking the halls quietly, asking staff members to share a GoFundMe to help his mother with the funeral expenses for her only child,” Dorsey wrote.
Friends and fans have taken to social media to express their grief and defend Freeman against negative comments. Twin Porter, a friend, posted on Facebook, “It’s heartbreaking to receive a text saying he passed away, and it’s so wrong to hear the mean things people are saying about Railey. Please, God, give his mother the strength to cope with her pain.”
As the community grieves the loss of a young talent, there are increasing calls for stricter measures to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future.
