Trentavious Zamon White, a 28-year-old male known professionally as the rapper Bankroll Fresh, was killed on March 4, 2016, following a violent altercation at a recording studio in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The incident, which culminated in a shootout, took place at the Street Execs Studio, a facility known for hosting popular artists. The conflict that led to his death stemmed from a growing animosity with a childhood friend and fellow rapper, Mendez Owens, who is known as No Plug.
Tensions between the two had reportedly been escalating due to personal disputes, including a conflict over a woman and an earlier incident where White was allegedly forced out of a neighborhood by Owens' associates.
On the night of the shooting, the simmering feud erupted inside the studio. Owens had arrived to meet with another artist when White confronted him about their past issues. The verbal confrontation quickly escalated into a physical fight, and the two men had to be separated. Following the scuffle, Owens decided to leave the studio. However, he soon realized he had dropped his cell phones during the fight and drove back to the location to retrieve them. Upon his return, the situation took a fatal turn.
As Owens sat in his vehicle outside, an armed Trentavious White emerged from the studio with a group of people. Surveillance footage and police investigations later confirmed that White was brandishing an SKS-style rifle and fired the first shots at Owens' vehicle. In response, gunfire erupted from the car as it sped away. During the exchange, White was struck by a bullet in his right hip. Friends transported him to Hughes Spalding Hospital, where he ultimately died from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Investigators at the scene recovered more than 50 shell casings, indicating the intensity of the shootout.
In the aftermath, Mendez 'No Plug' Owens came forward, admitting his involvement in the shooting but maintaining that he acted in self-defense. He stated that he and the people in his vehicle only returned fire after White had initiated the attack. Owens reported that he immediately contacted his lawyer and cooperated with the Atlanta Police Department, providing his account of the events. After a lengthy investigation that lasted over two years, authorities officially closed the case in June 2018. The Fulton County District Attorney's office declined to file any charges, concluding that the shooting was justified as an act of self-defense. Police confirmed that forensic evidence and surveillance video supported the conclusion that White was the aggressor who fired the first shot, and as a result, no arrests were made in connection with his death.
