As more details emerge from Saturday’s nightclub shooting attack in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Power Ultra Lounge that left 28 people injured, Memphis rapper Ricky “Finese 2Tymes” Hampton has been taken into custody.
A New York Times report by Jacey Fortin cites Little Rock Police Department chief Kenton Buckner’s confirming Hampton’s outstanding warrants and apprehension. A promotional flyer featuring the 25-year-old rapper aiming a gun at the camera is still up on Power Ultra Lounge's Facebook page but doesn't appear on Hampton's Instagram feed.
“Chief Buckner said it was ‘concerning’ that an advertisement for the concert included a photograph of the headlining performer, the rap artist Finese 2Tymes, pointing a gun toward the camera,” the Times reported. “He said that the Memphis-based performer’s real name is Ricky Hampton, and that Mr. Hampton had two warrants related to violence in other cities.”
The Birmingham News reports Hampton and 25-year-old Kentrell Gwynn were arrested outside of the Side Effects nightclub by ATF agents early Sunday morning. Hampton was the headlining artist both at Side Effects and the previous night at Little Rock’s Power Ultra Lounge.
“Investigators recovered two handguns and an AK-47 from [Hampton’s] Mercedes,” reported Carol Robinson of Alabama’s AL.com. “ATF took possession of those weapons.”
While the Times reported multiple warrants were issued for suspects, Hampton’s arrest appears to be unrelated to the Saturday shootings at Power Ultra Lounge. The Little Rock Police Department stated as much with a tweet from their official account.
Ricky Hampton "Finese 2 Tymes" was arrested for his outstanding warrants out of Forest City. No arrests have been made in the mass shooting.
“Ricky Hampton "Finese 2 Tymes" was arrested for his outstanding warrants out of Forest City. No arrests have been made in the mass shooting,” the tweet read.
Hampton is reportedly being held without bond.
