Houston rapper Big Pokey dead at 45

foxnews.com:

Milton Powell, aka "Big Pokey," died Sunday in Beaumont, Texas. He was 45 The Houston-area rapper was performing at a local bar when he reportedly suffered a medical issue.

His cause of death is currently unknown. As is customary for major events at the venue, authorities were already on scene at the Pour09 Bar & Rooftop lounge when dispatch received a call for an "unconscious person," according to Beaumont Police Department public information officer Haley Morrow. "We had officers there on scene," Morrow said. "It was 11:57 p.m.

when we received a 911 call for an unconscious person." Roughly 10 minutes later, officers called for additional units "for crowd control" as a "large group of people" had gathered on scene.

Morrow confirmed the Justice of the Peace will "conduct an autopsy." Pour09 posted an update Sunday morning on Facebook to send "prayers to Big Pokey and his family." "Out of respect for those involved we will not be commengint on the incident to allow his family and friends ample time to mourn and make a statement when they are ready," they shared. "This is a tragedy that no one expect and only our prayers go out to his family and friends." Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner sent condolences and extended prayers on behalf of the city to Big Pokey's family and friends. "Though many called him ‘low key,’ his presence was larger than life in helping to cataplut our hip hop scene nationally," Turner wrote on Twitter. "We are grateful." Houston music legend Bun B wrote on Instagram, "I wasn’t ready for this.