Young Scooter. Photo:

Paras Griffin/Getty

• Young Scooter, born Kenneth Edward Bailey, died on Friday, March 28, following a police chase in Atlanta, authorities confirmed
• On Tuesday, April 1, the Fulton County Medical Examiner released the rapper’s cause of death, confirming he died from a “penetrating injury of the right thigh”
• Officers said they “rendered aid to the male” after he was injured in the “brief foot chase,” but he was later pronounced deceased

Young Scooter’s cause of death has been revealed after the Atlanta rapper died on his 39th birthday.

On Friday, March 28 at approximately 5:23 p.m. local time, officers “responded to 273 William Nye Drive SE in reference to a dispute with possible gunshots being fired,” and a man reportedly fled the scene, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) said in an initial statement about the incident.

After suffering a leg injury in the “brief foot chase,” police said they “rendered aid,” but the man was later pronounced deceased.

The person involved has since been identified as Scooter, born Kenneth Edward Bailey, who died on the same day he turned 39.

On Tuesday, April 1, the Fulton County Medical Examiner released the rapper’s cause of death, confirming he died from a “penetrating injury of the right thigh,” ruling the manner of death an accident.

Young Scooter. Paras Griffin/Getty

“Mr. Bailey sustained a penetrating injury of his right thigh that created marked blood loss. This injury was not a gunshot wound. Mr. Bailey injured himself on organic (wooden) fencing material and/or woody debris after vaulting at least one fence,” the medical examiner stated in the release.

The APD also confirmed the rapper, signed to Future and Waka Flocka Flame, didn’t die of a gunshot wound in a news release update on Tuesday.

“The Atlanta Police Department is aware of inaccurate comments and social media posts regarding the death of Kenneth Bailey. While we understand that many people are saddened by his passing, it is important to recognize that Atlanta police officers neither discharged their firearms nor used any force against Mr. Bailey,” police said.

Officers previously said in a release that they were “seeking the public’s help in identifying a female 911 caller linked to the incident.” 

“The Atlanta Police Department received a 911 call about a domestic dispute involving gunfire at a home on William Nye Drive,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said in a March 29 release.

The APD then confirmed on Tuesday that Demetria Spence, 31, had been taken into custody and was “charged with Transmitting a False Public Alarm.”

“Ms. Spence was wanted for her involvement in making a false 911 call regarding a person injured/deceased incident that occurred at 273 William Nye Drive SE on March 28th, 2025. Ms. Spence was transported to the Fulton County Jail for processing,” the release update stated.

Young Scooter. Prince Williams/WireImage

Originally from South Carolina, Scooter began his music career in 2008 and was signed by his childhood friend Future and fellow rapper Waka Flocka Flame in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

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After news of Scooter’s death emerged online, Waka Flocka appeared to pay tribute to the late rapper on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Street, you had me crying before my show …you the backbone … dama brada.”

Rapper Playboi Carti reacted on his Instagram Stories, writing, “SMFH,” while Quavo wrote on X “ion understand,” alongside a video of Scooter performing and a broken-heart and prayer-hands emojis.

Scooter’s son Kenneth Bailey Jr. also posted a series of emotional posts on his Instagram Stories, writing that his “best friend” was “gone.”

The Atlanta Police Department didn’t immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.