Rygin King Transferred From Falmouth Hospital Amid Security Concerns

Dancehall artiste Rygin King has been transferred to a third hospital after his team believed that his safety was compromised at Falmouth Hospital. His team said that they had security concerns and wanted to not only ensure his safety but that his recovery process would go smoothly as well.

This is the second time he has been moved since the 25-year-old was shot and injured on Sunday after his convoy stopped following an unrelated accident in Westmoreland on Sunday.   King was first admitted to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital and was later airlifted to the Falmouth Hospital on Thursday.

The popular deejay’s management team said he was transferred to yet another medical facility in another parish yesterday but did not disclose where.

The move was prompted when a group of men showed up at the hospital and tried to get into the deejay’s room. Some of the men were eventually detained by police. However, it’s not yet quite clear what the men wanted or if indeed Rygin King was targeted on Sunday.

His management team spoke with Loop News Jamaica about their decision.

“We were concerned about the irresponsible leakage of certain photos and videos of the artiste online and we understand and are aware of the media interest, but we thought that it was vital that Rygin was moved to a new secure undisclosed location.”
Following the shooting, on Sunday several videos began circulating on social media sites including Twitter of the deejay falling over after being shot and the moments when he was wheeled into surgery.

They also gave an update about his condition and addressed rumors that he is in need of more surgeries: “The artiste is not out of the woods yet, he still needs prayers but the doctors are very professional, and they are doing all they can do to ensure that he makes a full and speedy recovery.”

The deejay, whose real name is Matthew Smith, was traveling in a convoy in Bethel Town when one of the cars was involved in a collision. Some eyewitnesses said that while the entourage was attending to the vehicle, a car drove up, and a gunman shot at the bystanders, which included Rygin King.

Sashalee Blackwood of Irwin Meadows in St James believed to be his significant other was killed during the incident. Another recording artiste only identified as Goon was shot in the foot during the melee but there is still no definitive update about his condition.