A Brooklyn precinct commander is under investigation for allegedly threatening 50 Cent’s life.
Brooklyn Deputy Inspector Emanuel Gonzalez allegedly told his officers during roll call to “shoot [50] on sight,” reports the New York Daily News.
Gonzalez, the commanding officer of the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, allegedly made the threat last June, when the rapper was expected to attend an NYPD-sanctioned boxing match in the Bronx. He told his officers if they saw the hip-hop mogul at the boxing match, they should “shoot him on sight,” according to a source with knowledge of the case.
“The inspector just said that at roll call,” the source said. “I’m like WTF.”
Gonzalez claimed it was just a joke, but police headquarters launched a probe. The Internal Affairs Bureau’s Group 1, which handles police corruption cases for captains and above, is currently investigating.
Prior to the comment, Gonzalez filed an aggravated harassment complaint, claiming 50 threatened him on Instagram. 50 accused Gonzalez of “shaking down” the owner of Love & Lust, one of his favorite clubs, and wrote “Get the strap,” slang for “get a gun.”
Gonzalez said he received threats from 50’s 18 million followers, leaving him “in fear of his safety.” The rapper eventually removed the post. The department investigated Gonzalez’s complaint, but no charges were filed.
Following the report, 50’s rep issued a statement. “Mr. Jackson takes this threat very seriously and is consulting with his legal counsel regarding his options going forward,” said the rep. “He is concerned that he was not previously advised of this threat by the NYPD and even more concerned that Gonzalez continues to carry a badge and a gun.”
The rapper also spoke out on Instagram, posting a photo of Gonzalez along with the Daily News story. “This guy Emanuel Gonzales is a dirty cop abusing his POWER. The sad part is this man still has a badge and a gun,” wrote 50, adding, “I take this threat very seriously and im consulting with my legal counsel regarding my options moving forward. I am concerned that I was not previously advised of this threat by the NYPD.”
Gonzalez, who has been with the department for nearly 30 years, remains on active duty.