Arrests Made in Connection with Violent Attack on Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine at Florida Gym
Three men have been arrested in connection with the violent attack on rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine at a Florida gym last week.[0] The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspects as Rafael Medina Jr., 43, Octavious Medina, 23, and Anthony Maldonado, 25.[1] The three were taken into custody on suspicion of assault and robbery charges. The attack on the rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was captured in viral videos, showing him being brutally beaten inside the bathroom of an LA Fitness gym in Palm Beach County.[2] Hernandez was hospitalized with injuries to his face, ribs, and back.
According to TMZ, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Rafael Medina Jr. is a documented member of the Latin Kings gang and has held a high-ranking position in the Latin Kings Palm Beach County Chapter over the past few years.[3] According to reports, Medina Jr. is the president of the Chapter and holds the position of “Inca”[4] The Latin Kings have a long history of being allies with the Bloods Gang, which is notable because Tekashi famously flipped on Blood gang members in federal court.[3]
Hernandez gained notoriety within the rap community in 2019 for testifying against the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, his former associates, in exchange for a reduced sentence.[3] The Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods belong to the Bloods gang as a subgroup.[3] Hernandez was arrested in 2018 on gun and racketeering charges and was facing a 47-year prison sentence until he cooperated with the federal government.[5] After spending less than a year in jail, he completed the rest of his two-year sentence while being confined to his house.[5]
After the incident, Hernandez's lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, informed NBC News that the rapper had been assaulted by a group of “three or four thugs who beat him up” in the sauna and was beaten up.[6] According to jail records, Rafael Medina and Maldonado were detained for allegedly committing battery and robbery felonies.[7] Octavious Medina's records were not accessible.[7]
In a post on Instagram, Hernandez addressed the attack, writing, “First time addressing the situation. For 2 years I been walking around with no security. Not saying I promote that BUT now you see I really never hid from anything.”[8] He also posted a video of the attack and said, “Anyway what happen here was nothing but cowardly.[9] I’m not mad this happened. In the street there’s no rules so I cant say they were wrong. Obviously it wasn’t fair but again the streets has no rules.[9] Just imagine having nothing to do with a situation and feel obligated to make it your business. (Very weird).
0. “Three suspects arrested for beating Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine inside Florida gym” New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-tekashi-florida-gym-beating-arrest-20230331-qfaxaccxurdxrcrna66tipjoye-story.html
1. “Arrests Made in Beating of Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine in Florida Gym” Entertainment Tonight, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.etonline.com/arrests-made-in-beating-of-rapper-tekashi-6ix9ine-in-florida-gym-201964
2. “3 Arrested Over Tekashi 6ix9ine's Gym Attack” The Daily Beast, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-3-arrested-over-rappers-gym-attack
3. “3 arrested, including leader of Palm Beach County Latin Kings, in assault on rapper 6ix9ine at LA Fitness gym” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/crime/fl-ne-6ix9ine-assault-arrests-20230331-wjsap2r7mza3zoh5u6blkf6mfa-story.html
4. “Tekashi 6ix9ine Gym Attack Suspect Is Gang Member From Latin Kings, Cops Say” TMZ, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.tmz.com/2023/03/31/tekashi-6ix9ine-assault-suspect-known-gang-member-latin-kings/
5. “Three arrested in 6ix9ine assault” The FADER, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.thefader.com/2023/03/31/three-arrested-in-6ix9ine-assault
6. “Tekashi 6ix9ine: Three arrested in brutal beating of rapper at Florida gym” Marca English, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/celebrities/2023/04/01/64276fd1268e3e647e8b45fc.html
7. “3 people arrested in alleged gym attack on rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine” Yahoo Life, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/3-people-arrested-alleged-gym-061344767.html
8. “Tekashi 6ix9ine speaks out on ‘cowardly' gym beatdown for FIRST TIME… after suspects are arrested” Daily Mail, 1 Apr. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11926785/Tekashi-6ix9ine-speaks-cowardly-gym-beatdown-TIME-suspects-arrested.html
9. “6ix9ine Breaks Silence Following Gym Attack – XXL” XXLMAG.COM, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.xxlmag.com/6ix9ine-breaks-silence-gym-attack/
