Local rapper shot dead in Palmdale McDonald’s was targeted

A man who was fatally shot inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Palmdale was targeted by his killer, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.

The man, whom friends identified to KTTV as Habib Zekajj, 38, was eating alone inside a McDonald’s before 12:30 p.m. Thursday when a gunman walked up to him, fired a single round into his torso and walked out. Zekajj was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were dozens of witnesses who told detectives there was no verbal argument between the two men before the killing inside the East Palmdale restaurant in the 37200 block of 47th Street East.

Zekajj’s friends told KTTV that he also went by the rapper name Big Paybacc; his music videos on YouTube have gathered more than a half-million views. Fans have been posting messages of grief since his death Thursday afternoon.

A motive for the shooting has not been released and a description of the gunman was not available, But authorities said they plan to review surveillance footage.

The daytime shooting at a busy restaurant rattled nearby residents.

Patty Hodges, 53, of Palmdale rushed to the restaurant believing her sons were inside.

Her sons are fine, but the level of violence stunned Hodges.

“These things shouldn’t be happening out here,” she said.

The restaurant shares a parking lot with a Chevron gas station near the busy intersection of 47th Street and Avenue S in East Palmdale.

Zekajj’s death marks the ninth homicide in Palmdale in the last 12 months, according to The Times’ Homicide Report. Four of the nine victims died from gunshot wounds.

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