A security guard who worked for the late rapper Drakeo the Ruler has reportedly come forward with explosive new claims about the night of the fatal stabbing, alleging he spotted YG in the middle of the chaos with a knife in hand.
According to court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Alrick Cooper III—a member of Drakeo’s security team at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. festival on December 18, 2021—gave a sworn deposition on March 19, 2025.
In that testimony, Cooper claims YG was “front and center” during the brawl that ultimately took Drakeo’s life. The guard alleges YG was one of three men carrying what appeared to be short, improvised knives.
Cooper admits he couldn’t see the man’s face because he was wearing a ski mask. However, he says he recognized YG by his distinct hazel eyes, his height, and his overall demeanor.
This deposition only surfaced in recent court filings, just days before law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Burbank home linked to YG. As we previously reported, YG was detained around 7 AM on Thursday but was not arrested—and even went on to perform in a Verzuz battle against The Game that same evening.
YG has consistently denied any involvement in Drakeo’s stabbing, and his team has not yet responded to these specific allegations.
What will come next as this case continues to unfold?
