Chris Samuel
French Montana has been named in a lawsuit for a shooting that took place on Jan. 5. The man was shot and wounded at a restaurant while French’s music video was being filmed.
Updated By: Chris Samuel (3/21/23 at 3:52 pm)
French Montana is getting hit by a lawsuit. The Moroccan-American rapper is being sued by one of the Miami Gardens shooting victims, Carl Leon, for $50,000, according to a Rolling Stone report.
Leon named Montana—who was also recently named the most streamed African artist, in the lawsuit since it was his music video that was being filmed.
The Lawsuit
In the lawsuit, Leon said he was one of the ten wounded in the shooting. Leon also noted he was playing the role of an extra in the music video for “Igloo” and claimed Montana and his associates did not do enough to prevent the shooting incident by blaming a lack of a security presence.
Leon also claimed Montana initially filmed the music video at a prior location and relocated after an altercation and robbery broke out.
Montana and his crew left, according to Leon. While at The Licking, a Miami restaurant, shots rang out. Leon alleged the shooting was a “preventable, foreseeable incident.”
Leon was shot in the hand and stomach.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Montana’s lawyer denied Leon’s allegations and said Leon “wasn’t invited to the restaurant.”
In addition, Leon is also suing for legal fees along with the $50,000. Leon also named Montana’s label Coke Boys Records, The Licking, and the property owner Gayles Plaza. Montana, at the time, said he was also celebrating the release of his CB6 mixtape.
The shooting occurred just a couple of months after Montana raised over $200 million for Uganda healthcare in October of 2022.
Another case of rappers potentially facing legal action includes Memphis rappers GloRilla and Finesse2tymes for a show in Rochester, NY, on March 5, involving three deaths after a crowd surge.
French Montana’s Bodyguard Among 10 Victims Shot Outside Miami Restaurant
Ten people were shot outside a Miami restaurant where French Montana was filming a music video on Jan. 5. According to reports, two of the victims were Montana’s bodyguard and New Orleans rapper Rob49.
Thursday Night In Miami With French Montana
In the parking lot of a popular Miami Gardens restaurant, The Licking, ten people were struck by gunfire as French Montana was shooting a music video. Many witnesses at the scene have stated that Montana’s bodyguard and Rob49 were among those who were shot.
While local authorities cannot ascertain what led to the shooting, they have stated that no one was killed.
In a video taken moments before the shooting by eyewitness Ced Mogul, French can be seen in the back of a car filming the video with New Orleans rapper Rob49.
What Are The Witnesses Saying?
As a crowd formed to watch Montana and Rob film their music video, eyewitness Mogul told WSVN News someone wanted “[to] call his mother and make sure… he’s OK.” It was then that shots were raging out. “At least 13, 14, 15 gunshots. It was very rapid, it sounded like an assault rifle,” Mogul said.
Another eyewitness, Kayla Sanchez, told WSVN her boyfriend rented her Chevy Capri to the “Shot Caller” artist for the duration of the shoot. “They said it was quiet and a good time,” Sanchez said. “And out of nowhere, all of a sudden ten shots back to back.” She also mentions her dog went missing at the scene, stating, “We’re worried about the dog and getting our car back.”
French Montana Raises Over $200 Mil For Ugandan Healthcare
In October 2022, French Montana made a historic move for a country in need. The South Bronx artist raised $200 million for the people of Uganda. This comes after his performance in his motherland of Morocco in 2017.
Originally Written By: Michael Omoruan (1/6/23 at 3:38 pm)
