21 Savage’s nephew dies after accidentally shooting sister, rapper pays tribute
The rapper’s 14-year-old nephew Seven accidentally shot his 12-year-old sister Lyric Shirley before committing suicide
Rapper 21 Savage is mourning the death of his teenage relative, Seven Shirley, after the 14-year-old died following an accidental shooting that seriously injured his younger sister, according to the family.
According to the family’s account, Seven accidentally shot his 12-year-old sister, Lyric Shirley, in the neck at a home in Stockbridge, Georgia, on July 22. Family members said Seven later died by suicide.
Before the children were publicly identified, 11Alive reported that a 14-year-old boy had been found dead from a gunshot wound and that a 12-year-old girl had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The family said Lyric has undergone three operations on her neck and vocal cords and remains in hospital. They have not confirmed when she is expected to be discharged.
Seven’s grandmother, Sharon Smith, who said she had raised him since he was 11 months old, spoke about what she believes may have led to his actions.
“Just that fast, that boy had made the decision to kill himself,” Smith said.
She added, “He probably sat up there and thought, ‘I’m finna go to jail, they’re going to ridicule me, everybody is going to be doing this and that and this, and this and that, and he couldn’t take it.'”
Smith also questioned how Seven obtained the firearm, saying, “Something needs to be done about that person who sold that gun because if he would have never bought that gun, this would have never happened.”
The family revealed they are also grieving another recent loss after Seven’s 13-year-old cousin, DeMarcus Shirley, was killed in a drive-by shooting earlier this month.
21 Savage, whose real name is Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, shared a tribute to Seven on Instagram Stories by posting a photograph of the teenager wearing one of his signature diamond chains. The rapper wrote, “Remember when you were a baby,” alongside several broken heart emojis.
Photo: Instagram
In a family statement shared with 11Alive, relatives asked for privacy while preparing for Seven’s funeral and requested continued prayers for Lyric’s recovery.
They also urged the community to help “stop the illegal sale and access of firearms to minors and do everything we can to protect our children.”
