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Hip-hop artist Young Jeezy arrested in firearms-related case

Mountain View, Calif., police have arrested hip-hop artist Young Jeezy in connection with a firearms case following an investigation into a fatal shooting Friday in Silicon Valley.
(Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)
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Hip-hop artist Young Jeezy has been arrested on suspicion of having an illegal firearm a day after a man was fatally shot at rapper Wiz Khalifa’s concert, police said Monday.

Young Jeezy, whose real name is Jay Jenkins, along with four other men and a woman were taken into custody Sunday at Verizon Amphitheatre in Irvine on firearms-related charges, said Mountain View, Calif., Police Sgt. Saul Jaeger.

Police did not disclose the types of firearms involved, but Jaeger said the suspects had weapons they were not supposed to possess.

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“This is still a very, very active investigation,” Jaeger said. “Stay turned, there is more to come.”

Young Jeezy, a Def Jam Records artist, was performing with Wiz Khalifa in the Under the Influence of Music Tour. A native of Georgia, Young Jeezy, who also goes by Jeezy, prides himself on his ability to relate to others who have struggled in the music industry.

But on Friday, a concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Silicon Valley turned into a tragedy. Eric Johnson, 38, of Orinda, was shot multiple times backstage and later died at a hospital.

Police have not made any arrests in connection with his death, Jaeger said.

A concert the next day in Chula Vista was canceled.

During the course of their investigation into the fatal shooting, detectives collected evidence and interviewed witnesses that eventually led them to Irvine, he said.

Investigators obtained search warrants at the amphitheatre and arrested Young Jeezy.

Young Jeezy, 36, and the other five people -- Kena Marshall, 39; Peter Maynard, 38; David Kuniansky-Altman, 31; William Gilmore, 48; and Alexa Beason, 46 -- have not been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting, Jaeger said.

For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.

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