Ol' Dirty Bastard in Shootout, Police Say

Wu-Tang Clan rapper arrested for suspected attempted murder in New York

By Joal Ryan Jan 16, 1999 9:45 PMTags
Yet another entry to the already-lengthy rap sheet of Ol' Dirty Bastard: Suspected attempted murder.

The Wu-Tang Clan member was arrested on that charge Friday night in New York following a blazing shootout with cops, authorities said.

The incident occurred at about 8:15 p.m. in Brooklyn, shortly after ODB--real name: Russell Jones--reportedly left a local recording studio.

Plain-clothes cops attempted to pull over a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe for a traffic violation, police said. When the vehicle stopped, at least one person inside the car fired shots at the officers. A gun battle ensued.

Amazingly: No injuries--on either side.

ODB, 30, was arrested at the scene. Another unidentified, 37-year-old man--the rapper's cousin, according to the New York Post--fled the scene, only to be caught a short time later, police said. Associated Press reported that the second man was released following questioning and is not considered a suspect.

The incident is the latest in a string of police-blotter action for the best-selling music star. The rapper has now been arrested four times since last July. The other assorted charges: Allegedly threatening to kill an ex-girlfriend; allegedly threatening to kill bouncers at the Hollywood-area House of Blues nightclub; and, allegedly shoplifting a pair of Nikes in Virginia.

In an apparent image makeover attempt, ODB last April announced he was changing his handle to Big Baby Jesus.

Didn't take.