“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,” said Torrence Burnett.

Fields is a successful Dallas-area rapper who gained thousands of followers because of his talent and style.

Dallas police said officers responded to a shooting call at about 3:45 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the grand opening of a new venue called Pink House Dallas. When officers arrived, they found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was listed in critical condition.

Family members confirmed that the critically injured victim is Zeethewizard. Sources familiar with the investigation said he was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized at a North Texas hospital as of Saturday morning, where he is surrounded by family.

Dallas attorney and music executive Torrence Burnett spoke to WFAA about the shooting. Burnett is saddened by the violence, especially seeing so many young, talented artists who are making an impact on the industry. Zeethewizard has performed across the country, often joined by other local up-and-coming artists. Burnett does not know Zeethewizard personally but is familiar with his music, influence and impact on hip-hop artists across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“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.”

The shooting comes just weeks after Dallas police released violent crime statistics for 2025. According to the department, overall violent crime dropped by nearly 12.5% compared to 2024. Aggravated assaults fell by more than 12% and homicides were down by nearly 23%

Burnett said he hopes the unexpected violence will open dialogue about the hip-hop industry in DFW so there is no more violence among artists. He also challenges artists to soul-search exactly why they choose the path of hip-hop.

“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? 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.”

Burnett said he is watching the case closely and encourages young artists to refrain from violence to resolve differences or disagreements.

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

In a statement shared to Instagram Stories, Pink House Dallas’ management asked for thoughts and prayers for the victims of the shooting that occurred at their venue early Thursday morning, and said they were doing their part in bringing justice to the situation.

Read their statement in part: “Pink House Dallas is fully cooperating with law enforcement and is committed to assisting authorities in every way possible as they work to identify and apprehend the individual responsible.”

Editor’s Note: In a Friday statement, Dallas police have updated information regarding the Jan. 1 shooting at an after-hours club, increasing the number of victims from four to five.