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New Orleans Music Producer Fatally Shot In Alleged Domestic Disturbance With Girlfriend
Naim Shakir, who works under the name Niyo Davinci, was allegedly shot in the neck by his girlfriend in a domestic incident.
Niyo Davinci, a music producer based in New Orleans, was fatally shot on Monday during an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend.
Known off-stage as Naim Shakir, the 35-year-old was killed from a gunshot wound to the neck the night of April 13, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Shakir's girlfriend, Chanel Galle, was subsequently arrested on April 14 and charged with negligent homicide. She has since been released from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on a $10,000 bond.
Shakir's mother Latifah confirmed her son's death in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning.
"Sad news, my baby boy has died Naim Shakir. My heart is broken. Please pray for our family," she wrote.
The incident began before 10 p.m. Monday, when Galle tried to "escort [Shakir] from the house" while arming herself with a gun, according to a statement The Times-Picayune obtained from Captain Jason Rivarde of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
Galle opened the door for Shakir to exit the property, but as the two struggled over the door, the gun reportedly went off and fatally injured Shakir, Rivarde said. Shakir was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Times-Picayune also reported that Shakir had worked in and outside the New Orleans area for a few years. He most recently began working with local producers and artists, but has reportedly also collaborated with Kevin Gates, Lil Wayne, Juvenile and B.G. Friends — who also referred to Shakir as a "master percussionist" with a passion for making music.
Before his death, Shakir participated in an Instagram Live beat battle with other New Orleans producers in an effort to produce music while respecting the coronavirus social distancing recommendation, according to The Times-Picayune. The Massive Amounts of Quality team have since renamed the series to the Niyo Beat Battle in his honor.
"Every beat battle will be dedicated to our brother, Super Producer NIYO! NOLA will keep your name alive," the group wrote in a Twitter statement on Tuesday.
If convicted, Galle could serve up to five years behind bars on the negligent homicide charge.
