Andre Jamal Bayyan, 27

March 22, 2016

Andre Jamal Bayyan, a 27-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, March 20, in the 3700 block of West 109th Street in Inglewood, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 3:45 a.m., the Inglewood Police Department received several calls reporting shots fired in the area. Officers found Bayyan, an Uber driver, wounded inside a vehicle, police said. There is no information on a suspect at this point, police said.

Bayyan was pronounced dead at the scene at 4 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

An Uber spokesman confirmed that Bayyan was a driver with Uber and was on a trip at the time, but did not give details on whether he was en route to pick up a passenger or was dropping one off.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Bayyan to this senseless act of violence," said Michael Amodeo, an Uber spokesman. "Our thoughts and condolences are with his friends, families and loved ones."

Anyone with information is asked to call Inglewood police at (310) 412-5246. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call (888) 412-7463.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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been stolen from him. To every black man alive and on this earth, Andre always felt your pain, he understood every single one of you and he was determined to be a voice for all of us who have come up through struggle. His life was not easy but he sure did make everyone else’s as easy as he possibly could. He planned to share with you so much knowledge and wisdom others shared with us, with him, and what he has personally learned and went through alone. As I tell his story more and more people are sense they miss him without even knowing him because they can feel he was wise and had a message to spread that would’ve saved so many souls. Do not let his killers prevail, do not let them think for one day that they’ve gotten away with murdering a King, a prophet of our time. We need more light, us light barriers are becoming few and far between on this earth. This world will be left in darkness and us in light need to love, support and protect each other more often for all of our days are numbered. Love whole hearted and harder. Protect your light, your soul, your heart at all times. Especially my beautiful genuine good hearted black men. If you think you are a monster but you know something deep down inside of you is telling you that you were created for light, you were created for so much more love & peace please listen to your soul that is not weakness. Listen to your spirit and plan from that day forward a way to remove yourself from that negative space & glow in light you know is meant for you. I promise once Andre’s safe haven gets started it will always be a number and place for you to run to. I am not trying to save the world because the world does not care to be saved but for every black man that holds a spirit inside of them that shines as bright as

— Chas April 2, 2016 at 9:20 a.m.

everything and had so much to give the world. He was truly a King and his legacy is worth being told. So first;
To the World:
Andre Jamal Bayyan was a 27 year old Visionary, truly a King of our generation. His stories of his childhood and the years up to me meeting him would make you smile from one story and break your heart to the next one but his stories were true, they were his life and each one had a lesson that uplifted and inspired you. I would tell him he was a prophet and to be weary of who he took time to teach because not everyone is eager to learn and that in fact is why some envied him. He evolved wiser beyond his years and his light intimidated those who were weak and choosing to thrive in darkness. He wanted to start a foundation to save the younger generation of black men in Inglewood to express themselves through art. He wanted a safe haven and even started giving more Uber rides in dangerous areas to make sure kids with dreams to make it out the city got home safe. I ask for help in living this legacy out to the fullest for him not for me, for him, the Bayyan family and his city. I want a statue made in his honor in Inglewood because he is worthy. He was in this world but not of it. I was waiting on the day he released his music, his record label Lifestyle Recordings lived up to its name. Every song he made had a story behind it, my favorites was the ones he made with his best friend Stevie. Their chemistry with music I always admired and loved. To the world, please don’t ignore him, please do not rid him off as just another black statistic because I promise he was not. I promise this man would’ve made change and ringed some bells had his life not

— Chas April 2, 2016 at 9:19 a.m.

existing in this world’ I immediately told myself no, no, I know he is not dead, I’m not putting that negative energy in the universe and Andre said “See baby, I told you never want to listen, the truth from me always hurts”. As I got off the bus and walked inside my friend’s house I connected to wifi and googled Uber driver killed in Inglewood and once I saw Andre’s name I collapsed, my body started shaking so hard I could barely breathe. If it wasn’t for Andre’s spirit, his light, his energy protecting me I don’t know if I would be able to carry on to even voice any of this. Any time I start to cry or feel weak I feel him, anytime I go hours and hours without feeling a need to eat I hear him, I thank God for giving me a guardian angel I know by name. I’m doing this because Andre would discuss things with me he has never told anyone else and I want his family to know that I told him I would give my life for him & that’s exactly what I’m doing. I will stay proactive. I will not let Andre Bayyan death be in vain, he did not die for nothing because he was

— Chas April 2, 2016 at 9:18 a.m.

you’re okay, he replied back “I’m headed back” at 2:28. I prayed for him and went back to sleep. I woke back up at 3:55 a.m feeling so sick & I just broke down because he hadn’t made it back yet and I was so worried. I knew he knew I had to go to work that day and he wouldn’t have just not shown up, we were too at peace with each other for him just to disappear on me. The landlord Austin and I called around trying to find him all Sunday. Monday, we kept trying and trying to reach Andre, I kept wanting to break down but couldn’t understand what was keeping me so strong. A sense of paranoia came across me that I’ve never felt taking transit. I saw a little girl at the bus stop with no jacket & gave it to her before we got on the bus. As we sat on the bus she kept smiling at me& I couldn’t stop staring at her, I then asked her did she like the jacket and she said yes so I told her to keep it. Her face lit up and she thanked me so much and told me God bless as she got off the bus coming up the 100s of Crenshaw. I sat and thought wow that’s something I know Andre would’ve done. As we passed 109th I hear a man on the bus ask if anybody heard about the Uber driver killed Sunday off of 109th in Inglewood and my heart dropped. I said in my head “Andre, you know I’ve been looking for you, please if you’re dead please let me know you’re dead cause I don’t want to find out any other way but from you” I sat there and looked out the window and heard Andre say clear as day “Chas baby I’m sorry, I’m dead, I’m no longer...

— Chas April 2, 2016 at 9:16 a.m.

My name is Chas. Although I am writing this for Andre Jamal Bayyan and feel that who I am is of no importance, I am still aware of the need to introduce myself to those who don’t know me. At first I was afraid, not for my safety because I would’ve laid down my life for Andre and most days I wish I could have, but I don’t want to upset any of his family. I think you deserve to know the last 5 days I had with him, he had so much to be heard & shared it would be blasphemous to him for me to stay silent. Andre Jamal Bayyan was my boyfriend, I loved that man so dearly. Trust me there’s not enough words I could say to even embody the love we had for each other. It wasn’t just physical nor mental but that man was/is my soul mate. We met each other at his studio in studio city the summer of 2015. We officially began dating and became one at the end of January early February. We split for a month but he found me again. God when I answered that phone call and heard his voice my heart felt so whole again. When I came out and saw him the feeling was overwhelming, his eyes were so much brighter, his skin glowed, his voice was so peaceful and loving, and every touch touched my soul. I was so proud of him, he finally evolved into who he always wanted to be, who I saw in him from day one. His smile and his laugh melted my heart every day I was with him. He thanked me for loving him out of darkness and never giving up on him and it was I who looked at him with so much admiration because his light outshined mine and I was so proud of him. We talked about our plans for each other and our families’ every day, by the end of the month he had asked me to help him start a foundation for his city that he loved so much. A city I begged him to just get away from for a few days and he would tell me not yet and I would understand then we would plan out our life together. Those last 5 days I spent with Andre keep replaying in my head over and over, every word said, every touch, and every smile every laugh, every tear. I remember he told me he wanted to live til 100 and I replied why? 50 is good enough for me and he just looked at me with so much love and said “If I’m living to 100 what makes you think I wouldn’t want you to live to 100 with me” then asked me to say it and I smiled back and said of course Andre til I die. Saturday night he left a little after 10 p.m to Uber. Uber had a promotion that weekend 75 rides in LA get a bonus 500, which was his goal to reach for the weekend. He was doing such a great job. Before he left his sons God dad called and he was so excited to hear from him. We kissed and said I love you before he walked out and I asked him to please be careful. I remember him walking out saying to his sons God dad I’ll call while I’m Ubering & I got this feeling to beg him to stay but I didn’t want to upset him & thought he hasn’t been out in a while if its anybody he should be safe round it should be him. I texted him at 2:10 a.m on Sunday saying I hope..

— Chas April 2, 2016 at 9:14 a.m.

Andre Bayyan is such a amazing man. He had evolved from his past into a bright future. He is so so smart. An amazing father, protector, love, best friend, just a beautiful soul evolved into the brightest light. His eyes were so alive & full of light. He was so eager to help his city escape darkness & had plans to set up foundations & mentoring for the younger generation. He recently reconnected to all his loved ones lifting them up in inspiration & love. He never wanted anyone to worry about him, he never wanted to burden anyone, he was only concerned with helping all that he loved out to be their best. He found so much inner peace within himself & was just so beautiful. He loved his son so much & was such a amazing caring father. He loved so whole hearted. His presence is felt at all times. His words can be heard clear as day even now. His story will be told. He's a genre changing artist, his range was so perfected his music will make history. Forever will be missed, forever will be loved. Long live Andre Bayyan, King Bayyan.

— Anonymous March 22, 2016 at 11:18 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Andre Jamal Bayyan, 27

Share a memory or thought about Andre Jamal Bayyan

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