DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Metro Atlanta's Hispanic and Latino communities are mourning the loss of one of their brightest stars.
Local singer and social media sensation Fabio Legarda died in Medellin, Colombia after he was accidentally shot as he was leaving a mall in an Uber.
Friends said that police believe a stray bullet hit the 29-year-old in the head when a security guard fired a shot trying to stop a robbery.
His former manager told Channel 2's Sophia Choi that Legarda used his music to push others to do better.
"He was ahead of his years, definitely. He understood that when you have a platform to shine light on where there is darkness, and he was definitely doing that," Dino Thompson-Sarmiento said.
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Legarda grew up in the metro Atlanta area and graduated from Georgia State University with a business degree. He would often perform at the Plaza Fiesta in Chamblee in front of thousands.
Legarda was on the brink of stardom with Sony Records.
"So young, he was 29 years old. With a long life ahead of him and his career was just starting," said family friend Julio Penaranda.
Friends told Choi that his parents are still in Colombia, where they held a funeral Sunday. Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects.
"I think that people could relate to him because he was so authentic. Whatever his message was through his music, people could relate to it," Thompson-Sarmiento said.
Legarda's family plans to bring his remains back to metro Atlanta for a memorial service.
Cox Media Group
