Rapper Benny the Butcher shot in robbery attempt in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) - New York rapper Benny the Butcher was shot during a robbery attempt outside of a store in Houston, authorities said Sunday.

Houston Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said the 35-year-old performer, whose real name is Jeremie Pennick, was shot in the leg around 4 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of a Walmart on the southwest side of the city. As Pennick got of his Rolls Royce, she said five individuals wearing masks approached he and two others who were with him, demanding their chains and necklaces.

The trio then began taking off their jewelry but were not moving fast enough for one of the suspects, who subsequently shot the rapper, Silva added.

She said the suspects fled the scene and Pennick was taken to the hospital. He's in stable condition and expected to survive. The unidentified people with him during the shooting were not wounded.

Silva said the suspects are at large and an investigation is under way. A description of the suspects was not immediately released, but investigators said they were seen in a Chevy Malibu.

A representative for Pennick did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The rapper from Buffalo, New York is part of the hip-hop group Griselda and last month released his second studio album, 'Å“Burden of Proof." He also recently signed a management deal with Roc Nation, an entertainment agency founded by superstar rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, according to Spotify.

Pennick is at least the third rapper in less than a week to become the victim of gun violence in Texas.

Hours before the incident involving Pennick, another hip-hop artist, Boosie Badazz, whose real name is Torrance Hatch, was also shot in the leg. It occurred less than a day after Hatch attended a vigil for slain Dallas rapper Mo3, who was shot and killed last Wednesday during a daytime attack on a highway in his hometown. The 38-year-old native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told his fans in a Facebook post Sunday that he was okay.

Police have not announced whether arrests have been made in either case. WFAA-TV reports that authorities have said there is no evidence indicating Saturday's shootings were connected to Noble's death.