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| Ammar Harris allegedly killed Rapper Ken clutch and others |
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| Late Rapper Kenny Clutch: Facebook |
Last week, on February 21, Oakland, California Rap hopeful Kenny Clutch (born Kenneth Cherry, Jr.) was murdered in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip. Two others—a taxi-driver Michael Bolden and passenger Sandra-Sutton Wasmund were killed in an ensuing car collision and explosion. A passenger in Clutch's Maserati and four others have now been injured in the accident. Authorities have now named their first suspect in 26 year-old Ammar Harris (a/k/a Ammar Asim Faruq Harris).
According to CBS News, police found his black Range Rover at a nearby apartment complex following the shooting. After a SWAT search, he was not found on the premises. The car was witnessed both at an altercation at the Aria Hotel valet parking station, and moments later, alongside Kenny Clutch's car during the shooting. Harris' whereabouts are unknown, though Las Vegas Police Captain Chris Jones believes he is armed and dangerous.
Harris has multiple arrests in the past, for drug, pandering and weapons charges, among others. He has claimed residences in South Carolina and Georgia. Authorities in California, Arizona and Utah are reportedly cooperating in a search. Police photographs of Harris (pictured) show him with a tattoo of what appears to be an owl on his neck.
Following the last week's tragic events, police investigation has revealed that Kenny Clutch had no criminal record at the time of his murder.
UPDATE: A story published yesterday (February 25) in The Las Vegas Review Journal and brought to the attention of HipHopDX indicates that not only did Kenny Clutch have an arrest record, he may have been working as a pimp at the time of his murder.
Clutch had a 2007 gun charge in California, which included reports of beating an ex-girlfriend and mother of one of Clutch's children. Additionally, a signed 2011 affidavit by another girlfriend alleged that Clutch broke down a door, beat her, kicked her, and forcibly removed her from the couple's apartment at the time. At the time of his death, Clutch's girlfriend, Asmayit "May" Hagos, was wanted by bench warrant for violating probation. Hagos had been previously arrested for soliciting prostitution and grand larceny.
The LVRJ article also alleges that the prime suspect, Ammar Harris, was Clutch's former "late-night running-mate," making this murder related to a falling out between two pimps. The full report is at The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Reuters reports that Ammar Harris, Clutch's former associate, was arrested after surrendering at an apartment in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles. He was surrounded by both L.A. police and an FBI task force.
"Officers and detectives converged on that area, he was challenged to come out of that area and he did peacefully," said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Lieutenant Ray Steiber. "He was taken into custody."
Harris us currently being held without bail pending an extradition hearing scheduled for Monday morning. HipHopDX will keep you updated as more information comes to light.
RELATED: Oakland Rapper Kenny Clutch & 2 Others Killed In Las Vegas Drive-By Shooting
Police say Harris shot several rounds at the Maserati which Cherry was driving. He is described as 5-foot-11 weighs roughly 180 pounds, and has a rap sheet which includes kidnapping, pandering, s-xual assault, and was previously arrested on allegations of being a pimp.
The second victim, has been identified as 62-year-old cab driver, Michael Bolden. According to his sister Carolyn Jean Trimble, Bolden loved his job. "He came to live with me in Las Vegas last year to help take care of our mother, and the first day he got here he said, 'I have to get a job.' The second day, I came home from work, and he said he got a job," Trimble told ABC News. "He says, 'You'll never guess what it is,' and I said, 'what,' and he said, 'taxi cab driver,' and we both fell out laughing," Trimble said. "He loved that job. He never complained. He'd come home and tell me stories about what happened, who he picked up."
Bolden was a single father who raised a son, now 36. He also had one grandchild, who is named after him. "Of all the people to take from this earth, but I guess the Lord needed him, " Trimble added.
Sandi Sutton-Wuton, 48, was the passenger in Bolden's car, and the third casualty. Sutton-Wuton was a two-time breast cancer survivor, and owner of clothing store. The 48-year-old was in town for a trade show, with her business partner.Truly SAD---#MsKemi @HipHossip on twitter
With Files from Hip-Hop DX and Hip-Hop Wired
