A concert set to feature rapper Boosie Badazz at the I-29 Speedway in Pacific Junction, Iowa, turned deadly on the evening of August 10, 2024, when a shooting occurred in the parking lot just before the music kicked off.
The incident, which left two men from Omaha, Nebraska dead, cast a grim shadow over an event meant to be filled with music, cars, and fun.
The Pull Up Car Show, an annual event that combines muscle cars, drag racing, and live performances, was in full swing when gunfire erupted around 9 p.m. Marcus L. Johnson, 28, and Charles A. Williams Jr., 27, were walking toward the concert entrance when they were shot. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, according to multiple sources, including reports from local news outlets and statements from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation, noted that the shooters fired from a vehicle before speeding away. The vehicle was described as a black Mercedes sedan, and authorities believe there may have been up to three suspects involved. An Omaha Police helicopter was deployed in the immediate aftermath to assist in the search for the shooters, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
A witness who asked not to be named said that no words were exchanged or arguments prior to the shooting, and that deputies were within 20 feet of the incident when it occurred. The unexpected violence occurred in what was otherwise a calm and orderly environment, further baffling attendees and law enforcement alike.
Boosie Badazz, the headlining artist for the concert, was unaware of the tragedy as it unfolded. The rapper, whose real name is Torence Hatch, later posted a video on Instagram expressing his frustration over the canceled concert. “They just shut the car show down,” Boosie said in his post. The rapper did not mention the fatal shootings directly, likely due to his lack of knowledge about the specifics at the time.
Other artists scheduled to perform at the event included Rob49 and Rich The Factor, but none took the stage after the shooting. The car show, which was set to conclude with the concert, was immediately shut down as law enforcement secured the area and began their investigation.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and it is not yet known whether the victims had any connection to the suspects or if they were random targets. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, in coordination with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies, is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Boosie Badazz, for his part, tried to keep the night alive for his fans, urging them to move the party to a nearby nightclub after the concert was canceled. “The party don’t stop,” he told his followers, redirecting them to Crush Ultra Lounge, a local venue in the area.
However, for those who had come to the I-29 Speedway for an evening of music and fun, the night ended abruptly, and for the families of Marcus Johnson and Charles Williams, the evening brought news of a devastating loss.
