Toya Wright’s brothers, Rudy and Josh Johnson, were reportedly killed in New Orleans overnight. (Getty)
Rudy and Josh Johnson, the brothers of reality TV star Toya Wright, were reportedly the victims of a shooting in New Orleans early Sunday morning. Police only confirmed that two men were shot and killed, but reports suggest that Rudy and Josh were the victims and that Wright learned about it while she was performing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fans have also started sending their condolences to Wright on social media.
Wright is best known as the star of the BET shows Tiny and Toya and Toya: A Family Affair. She also wrote the book Priceless Inspiration and stars on Marriage Boot Camp.
Here’s what we know so far about the shooting and Wright’s brothers.
1. Police Said Two ‘Unresponsive’ Men Were Found in a Car & Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Wright has confirmed the death of her brothers. “Help me Lord… I will never understand this,” she wrote on Instagram. (Instagram)
The New Orleans Police Department said in a statement to The Advocate that two victims were shot at around 12:08 a.m. near Pauger and North Miro Streets. When police arrived at the scene, they were found unresponsive and were shot multiple times. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police did not identify the victims. They were two of three murder victims in New Orleans last night, meaning that there have been 24 in the city in July.
#NOPD investigating shooting at int. of Pauge & North Miro. Initial reports show two male victims shot. #NOPDAlert
UPDATE: Both victims @ Pauger/N. Miro incident have died from their injuries. Investigation is ongoing. #NOPDAlert
With three homicides overnight New Orleans has now had 24 in July. That’s the most in a month since July 2012.
2. Wright Reportedly Learned About the Shooting as She Was Supposed to Start a Performance
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIhHnPnhzqU/
According to Fameolous, Wright learned of her brothers’ deaths while on stage and “stormed off.” Wright was performing in Baton Rouge, with her most recent Instagram posts showing her on the way to the venue.
The comments on the posts are now filled with fans sending their condolences. “[I] hope this is not true but if so i heart and prayers goes out to you and your [family],” one person wrote.
3. Wright Confirmed Her Brothers’ Death on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIhHnPnhzqU/
Hollywood Take reports that a friend of Rudy’s posted on Instagram, appearing to confirm Rudy’s death. However, that post is no longer available.
Family members later confirmed that the victims were Wright’s brothers to NOLA.com. Wright also confirmed on Instagram that her brothers were the victims. “Help me Lord… I will never understand this. #stoptheviolence #ineverfeltpainlikethisbefore #riptomybrothers #icantbelievethis #prayformyfamily,” she wrote.
According to Fameolous, Rudy’s Isntagram account was Jacipops and he recently posted an ultrasound, suggesting that he and his girlfriend were expecting a baby. His Twitter page was @rudeboy_07.
His girlfriend posted a message that may have confirmed his death.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIhMA9Ah1Ul/
Wright also posted a video of her and Josh:
Another post on her Instagram page shows her with Rudy:
Singer K. Michelle, who argued with Wright over social media, also posted a series of tweets to offer condolences.
@ToyaWright I would DM u but we blocked each other long ago. I just received word of ur loss. Even though we’ve never met my heart hurts 4u
@ToyaWright nobody deserves that type of pain.We may never be best friend but U are my sister in Christ. I pray for u and your whole family
@ToyaWright continue 2fight for 4ur healing. I understand sleepless nights,but the best thing is the sun comes up in the morning🙏🏾
@ToyaWright no beef or hate in my heart 4 you. Only support and prayers up. Please know that God has a purpose on ur life. Stay strong.❤️
4. Rudy & Wright Feuded on Social Media & She Says She Helped Raise Him
Toya Wright and her brothers. (Instagram/jacipops)
Rudy and Josh both appeared on A Family Affair with Wright in 2011. That year, Wright married Mickey “Memphitz” Wright, five years after her divorce from Lil Wayne. Wright and Rudy got into a dispute on social media after it was reported that she and her husband split. When on The Breakfast Club in February, Wright talked about the drama with her brother, who she said she had raised when he was seven years old.
Wright said that Rudy wanted her to help him make start a clothing line and said he “felt some sense of entitlement.” He felt that she was supposed to be helping him, but when she said no, he took to social media to complain. She said she forgave him, but it’s not easy to forget what he did.
5. The Shooting Happened Just Weeks After Wright Filed for Divorce From Her Second Husband
Toya Wright, Memphitz and Regginae Carter in 2012. (Getty)
News of her brothers’ deaths came just weeks after Wright filed for divorce from Mickey. The Jasmine Brand.com reported on July 27 that she filed for divorce on July 8. They had signed a prenuptial agreement. According to the site, the divorce ducuments show that Toya wants to bar Mickey from selling property during the divorce proceedings, which she fears he will do.
Mickey and Toya’s marriage was chronicled on BET. She was previously married to Lil Wayne from 2004 to 2006. However, she knew Wayne for years before their marriage. When she was 15, she gave birth to their daughter, Regina Carter.
