Busta Rhymes under fire from family of slain bodyguard

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The sister of Busta Rhymes'slain bodyguard has called the rapper out for allegedly using her brother's death to generate publicity for his latest album, The Big Bang. The bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, was killed on the set of Rhymes'"Touch It (Remix)" in February. Rhymes was allegedly nearby when Ramirez was shot but he has been unwilling to cooperate with the police investigation.

Sonia Rodriguez told the New York Post, "I understand the code of the streets, but they're probably just very afraid for themselves and their families...I find it kind of nauseating -- especially when he's talking about how he cared for my brother. He doesn't give two diddlies about my brother. At this point, I honestly believe Busta is using my brother's death as a publicity stunt -- and I'm angry."

Rodriguez says she hadn't heard from the rapper since the Fourth of July when he called to check in with the family and he promised to set up a scholarship fund for Ramirez's children.

Rodriguez added, "He's really got a lot to do to prove me wrong, and talking to the cops about what happened that night would be a big step."

According to police, many of the witnesses have been unwilling to cooperate with the investigation. A source told the paper, "Some people are afraid because they fear they could be next."