Janelle Monáe tweets about cousin killed in drive-by shooting

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Janelle Monáe has reported that her cousin, Natasha Hays, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Kansas City on Tuesday evening.

Natasha Hays, 37, and her teen children were sleeping at 3:45 am when someone began firing into the home.

–Dwayne Wade’s cousin fatally shot in Chicago

When the teens, aged 14, 16 and 18, awoke to the gunfire, they called out for their mother only to find her dead in her bedroom. Hays was described as a hard-working parent who worked as a caregiver.

“Gun violence has struck home,” Monae tweeted out. “My beautiful 1st cousin was murdered. She was a mother of 3. Loved by her community. #NatashaHays #sayhername.” 

Monáe, who has been a prominent celebrity supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, discussed her frustration about the rising numbers of dead due to guns in the US.

“#KansasCity #Gunviolence is still keeping our city in a dark place. The fear of ‘who is next?’ never leaves. Praying4more light. Help us.” 

–8-year-old girl dies after being shot in the head during drive-by shooting

Last year, Monae released a song that referenced several of those in the African-American community who have been lost to senseless gun violence such as Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland and Eric Garner, among others, called “Hell You Talmbout.”

There are currently no suspects in the murder of Hays. 

–Ex-NFL star offers $5k reward for info in drive-by killing of 12-year-old boy