Rapper Too Short's brother killed in East Oakland shooting, sources say
OAKLAND, Calif. - The brother of legendary rapper Too Short was shot and killed Wednesday morning in East Oakland, according to several sources.
They said he died while protecting a marijuana grow operation.
Victim identified
What we know:
The Oakland Police Department identified the victim as 61-year-old Wayne Shaw.
Sources, who have knowledge of the investigation and the victim, said Shaw was the older brother of Oakland rapper Too Short, whose real name is Todd Shaw.
Wayne Shaw was shot and killed around 7 a.m. in the 1200 block of 49th Avenue near East 12th Street.
Oakland police were sent to the area after receiving multiple reports of a shooting and alerts from the ShotSpotter system.
When officers arrived, they found Shaw suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, police said.
Forced entry
What they're saying:
One of the sources said Shaw was operating a marijuana grow house in the area where he was shot. They said he had been sleeping at the warehouse. They believe it was an attempted robbery.
Based on the Oakland Police Department's preliminary investigation, it appears that suspects tried to use a vehicle to force their way into a property where Shaw was at. Shaw exited the building and was confronted by the suspects, who shot him multiple times, police said.
Sources said the property in question was a marijuana grow house.
Evidence markers and shell casings littered the sidewalk in front of the warehouse and in the middle of 49th Avenue.
A bullet-ridden Honda Civic was found around the corner from the scene, stopped in the middle of the street at 50th Avenue and International Boulevard, which authorities said is connected to Shaw's case.
What they're saying:
The owner of the Honda told KTVU that the vehicle was stolen overnight from North Oakland.
"I'm honestly shocked," the man said in a phone interview. "I don't know how to process that."
Tucky Blunt, who delivers cannabis locally, said part of the reason he had to shutter his dispensary, Blunts and Moore, in East Oakland was because of repeated burglaries.
"We're trying to conduct regular, normal business and have to protect it like we're a bank," he said.
The shooting happened not far from "Too $hort Way," which was renamed in honor of Shaw's brother in 2022. He is referred to as the Godfather of Bay Area Hip-Hop. Too $hort Way runs along Foothill Boulevard between High Street and 47th Avenue.
The Source: Information for this report comes from an Oakland Police Department press release.