Miami Rapper Baby Cino Killed In Drive-By Minutes After Exiting Jail: Report

BY Erika Marie 22.7K Views
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Baby Cino
The 20-year-old's friend picked him up and they were just about to get on the expressway when someone fired approximately 40 shots.

The Miami music scene has suffered several losses due to gun violence and they are mourning the death of yet another rapper after a tragedy occurred earlier this week. Miami-Dade police are reportedly on the hunt for an assailant who opened fire on rapper Baby Cino, real name Timothy Starks. Cino was an aspiring rapper with dreams of being the next big artist to make it in the Florida Hip Hop scene, but sadly, reports stated he was gunned down just minutes after he was released from jail.

According to PEOPLE, 20-year-old Cino exited the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where he had been locked up for 24 hours after being tapped for a gun charge. 


He hadn't even taken off his inmate wristband when his ride, 20-year-old friend Dante Banks, pulled up in a red Nissan. As the car reportedly made its way onto the Palmetto Expressway, it slowed due to rush hour traffic. However, within minutes of being on the road, a shooter in another vehicle appeared and was said to have unleashed at least 40 shots at the Nissan. 

"The Nissan hit a wall on the ramp, and Starks suffered several gunshot wounds, including one to his head," PEOPLE reported, adding that the driver was also hit. He was rushed to the hospital after taking a bullet to the abdomen and survived his injuries. His mother told WSVN News that she was on the phone with her son when shots rang out.

Police reportedly stated that the shooter's vehicle is described as "dark-colored." Authorities are determining whether or not "the shooting is connected to previous incidents with a possible link to street gangs." 

"If you observed the shooting taking place or if you recall any bit of detail, no matter how minor it is, please call our Crime Stoppers tip line with your information, and remember, you can remain anonymous," said Miami-Dade Police detective Angel Rodriguez. "Detectives are looking at every motive or every bit of information based on the evidence they have here at the scene."

We offer our sincerest condolences to Baby Cino's loved ones during this difficult time. Check out a few posts from the late aspiring rapper below.




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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.