Skilla Baby performs at 42 Dugg's show in Detroit, merely two days after surviving over 20 rounds of gunfire

On May 22, 2025, a premeditated drive-by shooting in Redford Township, Michigan, left Detroit rapper Trevon "Skilla Baby" Gardner alive after twenty rounds of gunfire. Two days later, he made a victorious return to the stage. The incident, which nearly killed someone, shook up the hip-hop scene in Detroit and showed how tough its artists are when things get rough. Skilla Baby not only got better physically two days after the assault, but he also took a strong stand against violence by appearing alongside fellow Detroit native 42 Dugg.

Skilla Baby performs at 42 Dugg's show in Detroit post-shootout: more details

According to police records, the ambush took place on Thursday, May 22, at around 7 PM local time, near Beech Daly. Skilla Baby was traveling west on Eight Mile Road in his black SUV. Eyewitnesses and bullet casing counts say that the assailants fired 20 to 25 rounds in a single burst.

Gardner slammed into an oncoming automobile and then into a building after sustaining a lot of hits to the head, hand, back, and thigh. He was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment and stabilization after staying conscious of what was going on, even though his wounds were quite bad. Detectives are still trying to find out what made him do it, and they haven't uncovered any suspects yet.

Skilla Baby somehow got out of the hospital the same day the event happened. At 42 Dugg's sold-out show in downtown Detroit on Saturday, May 24, which was Memorial Day weekend, he startled the audience. Bodyguards led the 26-year-old rapper onto the stage in a viral video on social media. The crowd went crazy as he came out of the dressing room, plainly supported by the sling.

42 Dugg broke from his act to honor Gardner's struggle and introduce him as one of our own. Then he played two songs in a row. Skilla Baby played three of his latest songs while limping noticeably yet with great enthusiasm. Many people in the community, including Skilla Baby's friends and fans, were amazed by how rapidly she got well.

Tee Grizzley and Sada Baby, two more Detroit MCs, extended their best wishes in public, stressing how important it is to fight together against violence. People who protested in the vicinity said the play was an encouraging example of how to keep going in the face of gun violence. Even while the mood was good, several people were anxious about Gardner's health and believed it was stupid to act so soon after a life-threatening occurrence.

Skilla Baby, who is 26 years old, became well-known in 2019 with his mixtape Push That S**t Out Skilla. In 2020, his song Womack became popular. After signing with Geffen Records, he released his 2022 album, We Eat The Most, which reached the top of Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. He became even more famous in Detroit's booming rap scene when he was named BET Amplified Artist of the Month in April 2024.

The police in Redford Township and Detroit are offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of the offenders. Police are going through CCTV videos from businesses in the area and have uncovered hundreds of bullet casings. Because the attack was so targeted, investigators are wondering whether any hidden motives or fights are going on in the local music scene.

In the meantime, venue owners are said to be looking for better ways to protect artists and fans during live events, which has led to more attention being paid to security measures. The Detroit community is keeping a careful eye on developments as the inquiry progresses, honoring Gardner's bravery even as they face the urgent need for more unity and safety.

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