Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of an 18-year-old up-and-coming rapper in Suitland, Maryland. Police believe there may be additional suspects.
Diante Brewer, 19, of Southwest Washington and Deshawn Watkins, 18, of Southeast Washington have been charged with the death of Douglas Brooks, 18.
Brooks, who was better known as "Swipey," was found fatally shot outside an apartment complex Aug. 21. 2016.
Police believe Brewer and Watkins intended to rob Brooks and others who were attending a party at the apartment complex. Police believe there may be additional suspects.
"I'm dying inside. I'm dying right with him," Freda Brooks, Douglas' mother, said. "He was a smart boy. I didn't want him to be no rapper."
Freda Brooks said Douglas Brooks graduated high school at 16 years old and was at the top of his class. She said music is what he loved and what he chose to purse instead of accepting a college scholarship to Morgan State University.
"He made his own mark, made his own name," she said. "He took his money allowance, everything, for studio time and did what he had to do."
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Douglas Brooks' manager, Kevin Baldwin, of the record label M.O.P3, told The Washington Post Swipey had already performed alongside rappers, including Fat Joe and Wale, a Washington native.
"He wanted to give to the people his creation. He wanted to give the people his artistry and what he was about," WPGC DJ Tony Redz told News4.
Redz recalled how the teen impressed him in the short time he knew him.
"He performed and he shook every kid's hand and he took every picture and that's what the kids remember," Redz said. "He took his stardom and he used it in a positive way to say 'Hey kids, I'm from where you are.'"
Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call 301-772-4925.
