Suspect in rapper Slim Dunkin's slaying ‘in danger', police say

By Christopher Seward The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta police on Thursday said they have identified a suspect in the slaying of rapper Slim Dunkin, and he was urged to turn himself in for his own safety. The suspect was identified as another local rapper, 28-year-old Young Vito, whose real name is Vinson Hardimon, according to a police release. "We are urging Mr. Hardimon to turn himself in to authorities because we have reason to believe he may be in danger," the release said. Slim Dunkin, whose real name is Mario Hamilton, was killed Dec. 16 after being gunned down at a southeast Atlanta recording studio. A Twitter posting earlier this year identified Young Vito as an "east Atlanta Zone 6 ... street legend turned rapper” who was about to “embark on capitalizing the rap, fashion, & movie industry.” Police are seeking the public’s help in finding Young Vito and said calls can be made to Atlanta Crimestoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or contact the Atlanta Police Department's homicide unit at 404-546-4235. The development in the investigation came as fellow rappers Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane made plans to go all out Friday for Slim Dunkin's funeral, according to TMZ. The funeral is 11 a.m. at Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain. Burial will follow at Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Lithonia. Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements, said a wake was held Thursday at its chapel on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in Atlanta. The funeral home said two limos will deliver Slim Dunkin’s family to the church Friday. According to TMZ, the funeral will be elaborate with a “white horse-drawn carriage, massive white floral arrangements, and a white dove release ceremony.” Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane will pick up the lion’s share of the expenses, TMZ said, with Slim Dunkin’s family paying for the rest of the send-off. Slim Dunkin was a childhood friend of Waka Flocka Flame's and appeared on Gucci Mane and Waka's "Ferrari Boyz" album released over the summer. Witnesses told police Slim Dunkin, 24, got into an argument before a video shoot at a studio on Memorial Drive about 5:30 p.m. last Friday. The person he was arguing with pulled out a pistol and shot Hamilton in the chest, witnesses told police. Hamilton was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital. According to the web site HipHopdx, Slim Dunkin was at the Memorial Drive studio to attend a recording session with Gucci Mane and another rap artist, V-Nasty, for a "Push Ups" video when he was killed.