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Police Seek Clues on Social Media, in Hip-Hop Community in Rapper's Murder

 Police are still looking for video of the gunman who killed Chinx.   
Police Search For Clues on Social Media, in Hip Hop Community in Rapper's Murder
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QUEENS — Police are combing social media and talking to members of the hip-hop community as they search for clues about the murder of a Queens rapper Sunday, officials said.

Lionel Pickens, 31, who was known by his stage name Chinx, was shot and killed when he had stopped his silver Porsche at a red light on Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive in Briarwood around 4 a.m.

Police said Chinx was shot multiple times in the torso and legs, after a barrage of bullets was fired from another car which pulled up alongside. 

The rapper, who was in the car with his friend, Antar Alziadi, 27, was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital. Alziadi, who was shot twice in the back, was listed in critical condition, police said.

Police are still looking for video of the gunman, according to Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce.

“I do not have an eyeball witness to that scene,” said Boyce at a press conference Tuesday.

“A lot video downloads is going on right now out in that section of Queens,” he noted adding that investigators are getting numerous tips from social media and other rappers.

“We are getting a lot of information from the hip-hop community, from social media sites and any conflicts this individual may have had,” Boyce said.

Police have also received numerous information from people calling with tips.

Investigators said that Chinx, who earlier that night performed in Red Wolf club in Bensonhurst, usually did not drive himself.

His security guard was with him in the club, but not in the car when the shooting occurred, police said.

Investigators were not sure why the rapper decided to drive himself. 

Police officials said they were not aware of any fight in the club that night.

Chinx and Alziadi were planning to go to hookah bar Cloud 9 in Fresh Meadows but it was closed so the rapper was driving his friend to a subway station when the shooting occurred, police said.

Boyce said that investigators recovered 12 shell casings at the scene. All shots were fired from the same 9mm gun, possibly by the same shooter, he said.

Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has been growing in Briarwood, as fans continue to gather there to mourn their loss, leaving candles and playing his music.