On February 15, 1999, the Hip Hop world lost one of it’s most talented MCs when Big L was shot and killed in Harlem. Since his death, the rapper as been revered as one of the most gifted MCs ever, who never got a chance to live out his full potential. At the time of his death, NYPD arrested Gerard Woodley, listing him as the main suspect in the crime. Woodley was later released after the District Attorney felt there was not enough evidence to attain a conviction. This coincided with the fact there they’re were not enough witnesses willing to cooperate with the investigation. This added Big L’s homicide to a long list of unsolved murders involving rappers.
Today, DNA Info New York has revealed that Woodley, 46, was shot and killed in Harlem. The suspect in four other murders at the time, he was shot while standing in front of 106 West 139th St, near Lenbox Ave shortly after 11 p.m. Woodley was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At the current time, NYPD have made no arrests and have not released a description of any suspects.
Woodley, who had a laundry list of violent crimes on his rap sheet, was released from prison on parole in September 2015 after serving four years on a weapons charge.
“Big L rest in peace” – DJ Premier
