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Lil Phat, 19-year-old Atlanta Rapper, Killed in Hospital Shooting

Fans and family are mourning rising rap star Lil Phat, born Melvin Vernell III, who was fatally shot outside the Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs, Ga., a northern suburb of Atlanta.

Police are still searching for the suspects in the shooting, which happened just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses said at least two people ran from the parking deck of the hospital, which went into lockdown for about two hours afterward.

Vernell, 19, was part of Trill Entertainment, and known for appearing on Lil’ Webbie’s hit single “Independent” in 2008. Twitter condolences have come in from big wigs like Young Money president Mack Maine. Webbie also recorded Trill for Life with Vernell in 2010.