Despite online reports to the contrary, the rapper’s family confirmed that he is alive and receiving medical care at a Dallas area hospital as of Saturday morning.
As rumor of his passing continues to circulate on social media, the family of rising Dallas rapper Zeethewizard confirms to WFAA that he remains hospitalized and on life support as of Saturday morning.

The performer, born Zec’qurie Cannon Grant Fields, was among the victims struck by gunfire in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day after, according to Dallas police, an “altercation” broke out at the grand opening of a new Northwest Dallas afterhours club called Pink House Dallas.

Five people were transferred to a local hospital for treatment, one of them in critical condition. Family members later identified Fields to WFAA as the victim whose condition was classified as critical.

Zeethewizard had been booked to perform at Pink House Dallas on New Year’s as part of its grand opening celebrations. According to his family, he took to the stage shortly before midnight and played to a crowd that included members of his family. After his family left, Fields remained at the club to continue celebration the holiday. Before arriving at home, however, his family said they received calls about the shooting and immediately returned to the club-turned-crime-scene.

Family members — including his mother and father — then joined Fields at the hospital, and they have remained with him since.

Doctors are only allowing immediate family members into Fields’ hospital room at the moment, according to the family. Additionally, the family says the Dallas Police Department has also beefed up security around the hospital in order to help manage the several visitors who have attempted to see the rapper, including fans who do not know him personally. The family says even extended family members are not being allowed entry into the hospital at large, with police citing ongoing safety concerns as detectives continue investigating the shooting and work to identify any suspects.

Family members tell WFAA they are grateful for the attention they are receiving from Dallas police — not just for the safety of their loved one, but also for the benefit of the hospital staff.

Despite his being on life support, Zeethewizard’s family tells WFAA they are staying positive and optimistic about his recovery. As they continue to hope for the best, the family continues to ask the public for privacy and for prayers.