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Rapper Fabolous has tried to distance himself from his childhood friend's recent murder, but New York cops now believe he may be more involved than they first suspected.
As previously reported, Fab's long-time pal, 25-year-old Shamel McKinney was stabbed to death during a scuffle at New York club Duvet in the early morning hours of Nov. 23.
Authorities originally believed that the knifing took place when McKinney, tried to break up a fight between two women also in Fab's camp. Now, according to the New York Post, police believe McKinney was fatally stabbed while trying to rob another club-goer - the alleged M.O. of his crew Street Family, a group that authorities believe target and rob celebrities at Manhattan hot spots.
Police suspect that McKinney, nicknamed "Money Mel," was part of the group of up to 20 friends of Fabolous', all hailing from the BK rapper's borough and looking to grab expensive jewelry from celebrity partyers.
Last week, Fab's lawyer Alberto Ebanks said, "This is something I'm hearing for the first time," and couldn't comment on the allegations.
But apparently law enforcement has been onto Street Family's operation for some time. Sources said the crew became so notorious that FBI agents discussed launching a probe of their crimes, but decided that the robberies didn't rise to the level of organization needed for federal prosecution.
Pro basketball star Sebastian Telfair was one of the gang's alleged victims. The ballplayer was robbed at gunpoint of a $50,000 gold chain near a parking lot close to Justin's, a Chelsea restaurant owned by Hip-Hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Fab was shot in the leg in the midst of the altercation and while trying to rush to the hospital was arrested after cops found firearms in his vehicle.
Sources told the Post that Street Family's tactics involve identifying entertainers, athletes and others who are wearing flashy jewelry and ambushing them just outside a club or anywhere they are vulnerable. The victims don't generally report the crimes, sources said.
"These guys have no money," one law-enforcement source told the news outlet about the alleged robbery crew. "They go to New York to get paid, because that's where the money is.
Fabolous claims he wasn't at Duvet the night of McKinney's murder, but a club promoter insists he was.
The killer threw a bloody, 7-inch switchblade into a nearby dumpster when he fled. Police are still investigating the incident and have yet to make an arrest.
Source: sohh.com
As previously reported, Fab's long-time pal, 25-year-old Shamel McKinney was stabbed to death during a scuffle at New York club Duvet in the early morning hours of Nov. 23.
Authorities originally believed that the knifing took place when McKinney, tried to break up a fight between two women also in Fab's camp. Now, according to the New York Post, police believe McKinney was fatally stabbed while trying to rob another club-goer - the alleged M.O. of his crew Street Family, a group that authorities believe target and rob celebrities at Manhattan hot spots.
Police suspect that McKinney, nicknamed "Money Mel," was part of the group of up to 20 friends of Fabolous', all hailing from the BK rapper's borough and looking to grab expensive jewelry from celebrity partyers.
Last week, Fab's lawyer Alberto Ebanks said, "This is something I'm hearing for the first time," and couldn't comment on the allegations.
But apparently law enforcement has been onto Street Family's operation for some time. Sources said the crew became so notorious that FBI agents discussed launching a probe of their crimes, but decided that the robberies didn't rise to the level of organization needed for federal prosecution.
Pro basketball star Sebastian Telfair was one of the gang's alleged victims. The ballplayer was robbed at gunpoint of a $50,000 gold chain near a parking lot close to Justin's, a Chelsea restaurant owned by Hip-Hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Fab was shot in the leg in the midst of the altercation and while trying to rush to the hospital was arrested after cops found firearms in his vehicle.
Sources told the Post that Street Family's tactics involve identifying entertainers, athletes and others who are wearing flashy jewelry and ambushing them just outside a club or anywhere they are vulnerable. The victims don't generally report the crimes, sources said.
"These guys have no money," one law-enforcement source told the news outlet about the alleged robbery crew. "They go to New York to get paid, because that's where the money is.
Fabolous claims he wasn't at Duvet the night of McKinney's murder, but a club promoter insists he was.
The killer threw a bloody, 7-inch switchblade into a nearby dumpster when he fled. Police are still investigating the incident and have yet to make an arrest.
Source: sohh.com