Lil Wayne's 2015 Bus Shooting Mentioned In Young Thug & Gunna RICO Indictment: Report

BY Erika Marie 16.8K Views
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Lil Wayne
Jimmy Winfrey, a reported YSL associate, admitted to shooting at Wayne's tour bus back in 2015. His conviction was later overturned.

The news of Young Thug and Gunna's RICO charges has reignited conversations about Lil Wayne's bus shooting back in 2015. That year, Wayne and his crew were reportedly involved in a disagreement or argument at Club Compound, so they loaded themselves in their tour bus and went on their way. When they reached the 85 freeway in Atlanta, several shots were fired at the bus, and later, a man named Jimmy Winfrey was arrested. 

According to reports, Winfrey's warrant stated that he committed the crime because he wanted to prove his standing with his gang by shooting at a rap rival. Although Winfrey pleaded guilty to several charges and was sentenced to 20 years, his team later argued that a judge influenced his decision.

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His conviction was later overturned and Winfrey has been a free man, but during the investigation into the Wayne bus shooting, both Young Thug and Birdman's names were reportedly listed in that indictment as co-conspirators. They were never charged.

Circle back to this week when 28 people, including Thugger and Gunna, were listed in a lengthy indictment. The RICO case alleges that YSL is, according to prosecutors, a "criminal street gang" that has ties to murder, armed robbery, obstruction, witness tampering, and the plot to kill YFN Lucci while the rapper was behind bars.

According to The New York Times, Lil Wayne's bus shooting was included in the recent indictment involving Winfrey and his alleged affiliation with YSL. It is unclear to what extent this will play a part in the overall case, but it further intensifies the case set against Thugger, Gunna, and 26 others. 


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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.