Long Sentences Handed Down in Fatal Shooting of Swedish Hip-Hop Artist C Gambino

The court in Gothenburg sentenced three men, ages 20 to 22, for their involvement in the 2024 shooting of hip-hop artist C Gambino, reflecting Sweden's growing struggle with gang-related violence.

Three men in their twenties have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the brutal shooting of award-winning hip-hop artist C Gambino in Gothenburg, which took place in June 2024. C Gambino, born Karar Ramadan, was honored as Sweden's hip-hop artist of 2023 just a month prior to his death, an event described by prosecutors as a planned and merciless attack.

Although all three were convicted of aiding and abetting murder, the Gothenburg court determined that the identity of the person who delivered the fatal shots could not be conclusively established. Consequently, two of the three suspects were acquitted of murder. The weapon used in the attack has never been located, and a vehicle implicated in the incident was later discovered burned.

Investigators have linked C Gambino's murder to ongoing gang conflicts in the region, although authorities state there is no indication that the musician had ties to any criminal groups. Sweden's major cities have increasingly faced issues surrounding gang violence, resulting in numerous fatalities, often involving minors enlisted for violent acts.

The 26-year-old rapper was shot in a multi-story parking structure in Gothenburg in what the court described as an "execution" styled attack. Investigators struggled to find DNA evidence left by the offenders but were able to trace their movements through mobile phone data during the crucial timeframe. CCTV footage also provided insights into the suspects' activities, including their vehicle entering the parking garage more than a week before the shooting and waiting for the artist's return from the gym late at night.

C Gambino managed to alert authorities post-attack, but responders faced hurdles with their communication systems at the scene, complicating their efforts. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital approximately an hour later.

The court handed a life sentence to a 22-year-old individual, while his two accomplices received sentences of 15.5 years and 12.5 years, respectively. Additionally, a fourth suspect, aged 19, was found guilty of setting ablaze their getaway car.

In related news, another gang-related trial concluded with a 14-year-old boy being found guilty of carrying out a murder under the directive of Foxtrot, a notorious Swedish gang. Two additional minors were also convicted on related charges, though they will not face punishment due to their age being below the criminal responsibility threshold of 15 in Sweden. The victim in this case was targeted as a result of his son's refusal to comply with the gang's demands for violence.

In a broader context, police in Iraqi Kurdistan recently apprehended a key individual associated with the Foxtrot gang, tied to numerous murders in Sweden, including the aforementioned Skurup incident.