A Swedish court has handed down prison sentences to four young men, aged between 19 and 22, for their involvement in the killing of rising rap star C.Gambino, who was shot dead in a Gothenburg parking garage on June 4, 2024.
The 26-year-old rapper, whose real name was Karar Ramadan, was wearing a mask at the time of the attack. He was known in Sweden’s music scene but was not associated with any criminal group, though some individuals in his circle were reportedly linked to gang activity.
The court described the killing as a cold-blooded execution. “The victim suffered immensely, and the shooting—carried out in a public space—was rooted in gang conflict, which adds to its severity,” said presiding judge Anne Rapp.
Though two of the accused faced charges of murder or complicity, the court couldn’t determine who fired the fatal shots. However, all four played significant roles in the events leading up to the murder.
One 22-year-old man received a life sentence for his role in organizing the attack and providing the vehicle used, which was later destroyed by fire. A 20-year-old was sentenced to 15 years and six months for aiding the murder and helping a suspect evade justice. A third man, 21, received 12 years and six months for similar involvement. The youngest, aged 19, was given a 10-month sentence for protecting a suspect and property damage.
C.Gambino had just been honored as Hip Hop Artist of the Year at Sweden’s 2024 Grammis Awards shortly before his death. His killing echoes the 2021 murder of fellow Swedish rapper Einar, another high-profile victim of the country’s ongoing gang violence crisis, which continues to escalate with frequent shootings and bombings.
