Popular rapper who prosecutors say was ringleader of violent gang was fatally shot in Olney

A popular 25-year-old rapper — who prosecutors say was considered the ringleader of a notoriously violent West Philadelphia-based gang — was shot and killed Friday afternoon in the city’s Olney section, a law enforcement source said.

Police said the shooting occurred just after 3:30 p.m. on the 5500 block of North Sixth Street. The victim, who was identified as Abdul Vicks, was shot multiple times in the chest and right hand and was taken by private vehicle to Einstein Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.

The source requested anonymity, not being authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Prosecutors say Vicks, who performed as “YBC Dul,” was considered the ringleader of the West Philadelphia-based gang called YBC, or Young Bag Chasers.

Earlier this month, 22-year-old Quamere Hall, a Vicks associate, was arrested at the Criminal Justice Center and charged with the shooting death of a 34-year-old man last year.

Hall, another rapper who performs as “Mere Pablo,” was at the Criminal Justice Center to show support for Arshad Curry, a fellow YBC member who was scheduled to be sentenced for shooting five people, three fatally, in 2021. Curry was sentenced to 42½ to 85 years in prison.

Last year, three other YBC members were convicted of killing two teens.

After Hall’s arrest, Vicks posted a photo of Hall on his Instagram account and lamented that another friend was locked up.

Police reported no arrests in Vicks’ shooting and asked that anyone with information contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call the police department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).