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Up and coming rapper Donkey Cartel lost his life on Christmas Eve after being involved in a fight with rivals at Northlake Mall in Charlotte.

The 18-year old, real name Daquan Westbrook, was killed by off-duty cop Thomas Ferguson, who was responding to the sound of gunshots. The rapper allegedly pointed his gun at the officer before he was fired upon.

Westbrook was pronounced dead at the scene.

#Breaking: video just into @WBTV_News shows moments before #NorthlakeMall shooting. pic.twitter.com/ke7Dhg49j5

— Nick Ochsner (@NickOchsnerWBTV) December 24, 2015

A statement was released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department:

"Preliminary evidence gathered on scene indicates that a group of subjects who had a history of feuding encountered each other inside the mall and got into an altercation which led to Mr. Westbrook shooting a firearm. This was not a random act of violence and the subjects involved are known to one another."

"While working off-duty inside the Northlake Mall, Officer Thomas Ferguson heard multiple shots being fired inside the mall. Officer Ferguson responded to the scene and encountered a subject armed with a firearm. According to witnesses, the subject turned and pointed the weapon at Officer Ferguson, who fired his service weapon."

The statement said Ferguson was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Donkey Cartel is seen getting ready to open fire

Shauntelle Hamrick, the manager of the Journeys shoe store, says she saw a group of people "ganged up" on a man. At that point gunfire was exchanged, according to CNN.

The shooting panicked last-minute Christmas shoppers, sending hundreds of people running to get away from the area.

Witnesses reported hearing as many as 10 gunshots.

“I had no idea what to do, so I grabbed my mom, dropped my stuff and ran out of the store,” 20-year old Caryl Santos told the Charlotte Observer.

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