Rapper arrested for firearms in shooting probe

Young Jeezy (Photo: pitchfork.com)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — Platinum-selling rapper Young Jeezy has been arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal firearms during an investigation into a fatal shooting at a rap concert in Silicon Valley, authorities said.

The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins, was taken into custody Sunday by detectives along with five other people while executing a search warrant at the Verizon Amphitheatre in Irvine, Mountain View police spokesman Sergeant Saul Jaeger said Monday. They were taken to the Orange County jail.

The arrests come after Eric Johnson, 38, of Orinda was shot and killed while backstage at the “Under the Influence of Music” concert Jeezy co-headlined with fellow rapper Wiz Khalifa at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on Friday.

None of the arrested has been identified as suspects in the fatal shooting, Jaeger said.

Jeezy is being held on $1 million bail and could make his first appearance in court as soon as Tuesday, Orange County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jeff Hallock said.