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Drake posts heartfelt letter following Alton Sterling shooting

The platinum artist said the issue is impossible to ignore.

 

Nia Wesley

Streaming

Posted on Jul 7, 2016   Updated on May 26, 2021, 12:03 pm CDT

Following the police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, superstar rapper Drake responded with an open letter expressing fear, sadness, and hope for change.

The 29-year-old artist born Aubrey Graham, used his Instagram account Wednesday night to say he is “truly scared” after learning Sterling was gunned down on Tuesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

🙏🏼

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

Fans reacted to the post with more than 281,000 likes and comments regarding the ongoing issue of police brutality and race in America.

Police were called out to a Baton Rouge convenience store Tuesday evening after receiving an anonymous call about an individual with a gun. Sterling was reportedly selling CDs in the parking lot. The store owner told the New York Daily News that he allowed Sterling to sell CDs outside of the store. 

Two videos were released of two officers apparently tackling him to the ground and drawing their guns to then fire six shots. The Department of Justice announced a federal investigation into the incident. 

(Warning: The videos contain graphic violence. They can be see here and here.)

The rapper, best known for party anthems and arena tours, has remained mostly apolitical throughout his career.

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*First Published: Jul 7, 2016, 12:14 pm CDT