The shooting comes weeks after Dallas police released violent crime stats for 2025

Collage of a Pinkhouse Dallas billboard at night and a man wearing gold chains.

A NEW Year’s Day celebration turned into horror when gunfire erupted, and four people were shot at an after-hours party.

One victim was left in critical condition as cops raced to the scene, officials said.

Man in a t-shirt, patched shorts, and jewelry posing in front of a gray car.
Local rapper Zee Cannon, known as Zeethewizard gunned down during New Year celebrationsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Nighttime view of a crime scene with police cars, officers, and multiple vehicles near a Pinkhouse Dallas billboard.
Dallas police have not announced any arrests and said the investigation remains ongoingCredit: WFAA
The shooting happened in Dallas, Texas, at around 3:45 am on Thursday, according to police.

Police said they were called to the grand opening of a new venue, Pinkhouse Dallas, and found four gunshot wounds when they arrived.

Police said one of the victims was in critical condition.

Family members have since identified that victim as local rapper Zee Cannon, known as Zeethewizard.

Cannon has built a following in the Dallas area and online for his music and style.

Sources familiar with the investigation said he was shot multiple times.

They said he remains hospitalized at a North Texas hospital, surrounded by relatives.

Dallas attorney and music executive Torrence Burnett spoke to ABC local affiliate WFAA after the shooting.

Burnett said he does not know Zeethewizard personally, but is familiar with his music and influence across the DFW scene.

“Incredibly talented. He had a way with words and was able to impact people,” Burnett said.

“And I think that when we take art, when people who can make that art happen, we’ve got to take it at face value and just enjoy it.”

“I just wish our young black men, especially, would think that you don’t have to be whatever it is that this microcosm says you have to be, if you do hip-hop.”

In the days before the shooting, Zeethewizard was active online, sharing music clips with his followers.

His last post, shared five days before the attack, was a video of his music with the caption: “See This Shit Here Real Life A True Story I Never Wrote It.”

Close affiliate Himothy Chung posted a message on his Instagram story asking for privacy on behalf of the family.

“Out of respect for ZeeTheWizard and his family, we ask that you please respect our privacy during this difficult time,” the statement read.

“In order to give him the care he needs, we are limiting hospital visitors. Please do not come to the hospital.

“Hospital security and police are enforcing these restrictions.

“We are deeply grateful for the prayers and support. We will update everyone when we see fit.”

Zeethewizard was a rising Dallas artist known for tracks including Boss N***a, 4 For 4, and Anticap Music.

He collaborated with several Texas artists, including Zillionaire Doe, Yung Donn, and Timothy Chung.

In 2024, he and Yung Donn released a joint project titled WIZ THE DONN.

In a recent interview, the rapper spoke about his upbringing and the struggles that shaped him.

“At a young age, it was kinda hard,” he said.

“I never had my daddy around. At a young age, it was me, momma, & my two sisters. I had to become the man of the house.”

The shooting comes weeks after Dallas police released violent crime stats for 2025.

The department said overall violent crime dropped by nearly 12.5% compared to 2024, with aggravated assaults down more than 12% and homicides down nearly 23%.

Burnett said he hopes the attack opens dialogue about the hip-hop industry in the area and pushes artists away from violence.

“The conversation for the artists is finding your why, you know, why are you rapping? Why are you making music?” Burnett said.

“Is it just to be heard? Is it to make a better life? Because if you use your celebrity to take the revenue and the income and change your address and to help your grandmother and your mother and your children and so forth. And so, then what are you doing it for?

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“I hope the conversation includes a bifurcation of art versus life. I find it appalling that only in hip-hop must you be whatever you’re talking about, whatever you’re rapping about, whatever you’re performing about.”

Dallas police have not announced any arrests and said the investigation remains ongoing.

A man in a light grey tracksuit and large gold chains stands in front of a black Cadillac Escalade.
Zeethewizard was a rising Dallas artist known for tracks including “Boss N*gga,” “4 For 4,” and “Anitcap Music.”Credit: Instagram – @zeethewizard