Rapper and Politician Sidhu Moose Wala Dead at 28 from Drive-By Shooting

Rapper turned politician Sidhu Moose Wala has passed away at age 28 from a drive-by shooting.

As reported by CNN, Wala was shot and killed roughly an hour after leaving his Mansa home in the Indian state of Punjab on Sunday.

Per Punjab police chief Viresh Kumar Bhawra, 30 empty casings were later discovered at the scene that had come from three different guns — one of them being a 9mm handgun.

Wala was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the BBC, officials in Punjab believe the shooting is gang-related, as a Canadian gang member allegedly claimed responsibility on social media.

However, the BBC noted that Wala’s family want Bhawra to issue an apology for relating the event to a gang rivalry prior to an official investigation.

In response, Bhawra said in a statement on Monday that he never labeled Wala as a “gangster or affiliated with gangsters,” adding, “The investigation would look into all aspects regarding the murder.”

Bhawra also said via the BBC that many outlets “misquoted” his original statement.

With regard to Wala’s shocking death, the Bharatiya Janata Party — one of two major political parties in India — is blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a different political party in India founded in November 2012 by activist Arvind Kejriwal.

“Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in a state-sponsored murder. The AAP government is totally responsible for this,” the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged in a statement obtained by CNN.

Prior to joining politics, Wala was a rapper known for his 2017 single “So High” and his 2018 debut album ”PBX 1.”

Last December, Wala switched gears and joined India’s Congress party.

“I am not entering politics for status or to earn praise,” Wala said at the time, per Rolling Stone. “I want to become a part of the system to transform it. I am joining the Congress to raise the voice of the people.”

Per a message on Wala’s Instagram Story, a visitation is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. local time. He will then be cremated at noon “in the village [of] Moosa.”