Friends remember murdered rapper

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - No arrests so far in the brutal killing of a man in the middle of a Harrison Township street.

A close friend of the victim talked with 2 News Wednesday about how he'll be remembered.

"Dougie is just a joy. There are a lot of people who are going to miss him." Dougie is 30-year old Douglas Byrd.

"I'm very angry at it. I'm very angry."

Byrd was shot in the back of the head several times Tuesday afternoon in the 3900 block of Salem Avenue.

Donna Hamiliton was Byrd's friend and concert promoter.

"He enjoyed life and as a performer, he gave everything," said Hamilton.

Byrd was a well known rapper in the Dayton area with many friends and followers.

He was supposed to perform at Club Heat on the 27th. Instead, his fellow rappers and friends will perform in his honor.

"You could be having the worst day of your life and he would come and in and you'd have to smile, have to grin. He lightened up the whole room."

As police try to find the person who shot Byrd execution style, Hamilton tries to keep happy images of Dougie fresh in her mind.

Investigators say the shooting was gang related.

If you have any information that can help, call Crime Stoppers at 222-7867.