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Busta Rhymes Bodyguard Killed

Israel Ramirez shot in the chest during video shoot

February 6, 2006 11:03 AM ET

A longtime bodyguard for Busta Rhymes was shot and killed early Sunday morning in Brooklyn, during the video shoot for the rapper's "Touch It (the Remix)" -- a song off Rhymes' new album, The Big Bang, due April 2nd. Israel Ramirez, 29, who provided security for Rhymes for a decade, was shot once in the chest when violence erupted outside the building where Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige and G-Unit members 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks were filming. The bodyguard and father of three was taken to Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

According to officials, fourteen shots were fired at 1:30 a.m. Rhymes, Elliott, Blige, 50 and Banks were uninjured, as were the 500 fans gathered for the video shoot. It remains unclear how many people were outside when the shooting occurred. Police are still trying to determine what prompted the gunfire, and currently no suspects have been named.

The Big Bang -- produced by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, the Neptunes and Scott Storch -- features guest appearances by Eminem, Stevie Wonder, and the late Rick James and Ol' Dirty Bastard.

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