Report: Rule Tied to Club Shooting

Mon., Jul. 18, 2005 4:25 PM PDT by Charlie Amter

Ja Rule's latest video may land the hip-hop star in a heap of trouble.

But this clip isn't for a new track--rather, it's surveillance footage seized by the NYPD of a 2004 New York club shooting. And the tape reportedly links the rapper to the crime.

According to the New York Post, Rule is now at the center of a federal investigation into who shot two men outside the popular Manhattan nightspot Club LQ after a party for the rapper last Christmas.

One of the victims, 39-year-old William Clark, died as a result of the gun battle.

Although the Dec. 27 party was in Rule's honor, it was unclear in the immediate aftermath whether the rap star was at the event at the time of the shooting.

Now, police say, video seized from the club shows Rule's entourage leaving the club around 3:30 a.m. just as Clark and another man, Troy Moore, were walking nearby.

Per the Post, Rule's car is seen coming to a halt, one of his bodyguards runs to the vehicle, taps on the window and says, "Come with me, it's coming down." Then, shots allegedly erupt from Rule's ride, seriously wounding Moore and killing Clark.

Rule's attorney, Murray Richman, said the "Holla Holla" rapper is innocent of any wrongdoing.

It's not known exactly what the nature of the beef was between Clark and Moore and Rule's posse. Both victims had a criminal past, according to the New York Daily News, each serving stints in prison. Moore has reportedly been cooperating with investigators. But so far, the feds have not publicly commented on a motive for the shooting.

Moore is the brother of Tyran "Tah Tah" Moore, is jailed in New York while awaiting sentencing on a federal weapons charge. Tah Tah Moore is an associate of The Inc. boss Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo and crack lord Kenneth McGriff, who is accused of using the label to launder drug money and is in prison on an unrelated conviction.

Tah Tah Moore and McGriff were fingered by 50 Cent as possible trigger men behind the infamous 1999 shooting that left the rap star with nine bullet holes in his body. Both Fiddy and his mentor, Eminem, have openly feuded with Ja Rule and his crew.

The Inc., which is home to Rule and artists like Ashanti, changed its name from Murder Inc. as part of an image makeover. The label is embroiled in several criminal investigations. The Post reports the investigation of the Club LQ shooting is related to a federal probe of Gotti.

Rule--who one once rapped "I'm a murderer, murdering anything that moves"--may face federal charges for the shooting, including "conspiracy to commit murder," according to the Post. But he is reportedly cooperating with authorities, and has not officially been charged with any crime in connection with the case.

Still, the gravel-voiced emcee has not been impervious to trouble.

He faced assault for beating up a clubgoer in Toronto earlier this but avoided jail time after striking a plea deal. Rule, who apologized to the city for his behavior, still faces a civil suit from the man who says Rule injured him.

And last summer, Rule got acquainted with a New York jail cell after getting busted for driving without a license and marijuana possession. The pot count against the Queens-born rhymer was eventually dropped after he shelled out $550 in fines and court fees.