Naseem Stevens had much to anticipate before his life was tragically cut short at a Grand Crossing gas station on a Friday evening. His death occurred only hours after attending a funeral for Mi’KQuale Cooper, the rapper better known as BloodHound Q50. Police reports suggest detectives are examining if there’s a connection between Stevens’ murder and the funeral, yet his mother, Karonna Williams, dismisses such speculations linking Stevens to the BloodHounds street gang.
Karonna, 45, remembers her son as a “ray of sunshine,” describing him as charismatic, loving, and joyful. She asserts her awareness of who her son truly was, emphasizing that he should not be reduced to gang associations. Growing up as her eldest child, Stevens participated in the South Shore Drill Team and even performed in New York. His middle school friends nicknamed him Poohman, a name he retained as his social media handle, though his family continued calling him by his given name, Naseem.
Despite acknowledging that Stevens had previously “done things the wrong way,” Karonna shares that he was in a period of change. His legal troubles included a 2022 conviction on gun charges that resulted in a two-year prison sentence, with further arrests following his release. Still, she points out his transformation and future plans, highlighting his excitement over expecting his first child and a newfound commitment to a different path in life.
The morning of the day he died, Stevens’ mother saw him briefly before she left for work. She was unaware of his plans that day or if he attended Cooper’s funeral. Reports indicate the vehicle driven by Stevens had a funeral sticker, suggesting he was present at the events happening in Merrillville, Indiana, earlier that day.
Just two weeks before Stevens’ death, Mi’KQuale Cooper was shot and killed in Fuller Park. Cooper’s demise fueled social media speculation and brought heartfelt tributes from fellow artists, who praised his musical talents and authenticity.
As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection to either shooting. Investigations by homicide detectives were ongoing, focusing on establishing any potential ties between Stevens’ murder and Cooper’s funeral.