The body of a young rapper who has been shot dead on March 18 was reportedly propped up for his “final show” at a Washington D.C. nightclub over the weekend.

Rapper Goonew’s corpse was propped up at a D.C. nightclub during the artist’s funeral. https://t.co/y4NB9qDlwM

— TMZ (@TMZ) April 4, 2022

Goonew, 24, was shot in a car park in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and hours later in hospital, the young rapper died.

On Sunday, Video footage of rapper Goonew shows his body hoisted up on stage as his supporters danced nearby to loud music and a large sparkler lit up the dark space. As the footage circulated, it sparked outrage on social media.

Images showed the corpse dressed in an Amiri hoodie, jeans and sneakers, while a crown rested atop his head.

Goonew deserved better bro, you niggas are sick pic.twitter.com/gTAmzNBS0U

— THE ENDS (@niggerzaza) April 4, 2022

According to Complex:

Bliss Nightclub has since issued a statement revealing that it was “never made aware” that Goonew’s body would be on display.

“Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time. Respectfully, Bliss DC,” the statement read.

A rapper who attended the event, Black Fortune, confirmed that it was Goonew’s real body and not a “wax figure,” as others had speculated.

“It didn’t matter as long as his mother was happy,” he remarked.

In an interview with a local newspaper in Washington, D.C., The rapper’s family defended the unusual farewell, in a report by Fox affiliate WTTG.

Patrice Morrow, Goonew’s mother, stated she didn’t want anyone to feel sad, and that she had complete control over how she said goodbye to her son.

She said, “For all the negatives, people probably don’t even know nothing about us, they have no idea. People just saying what they want to say and that’s fine. That’s perfectly fine. I’m pleased with how I sent my son away. I wish people would just let me grieve in peace.”

“We’re not trying to clear anything up. We don’t care about anybody and what ya’ll have to say negative. Nobody. We don’t care,

They’re like, I know his mama wouldn’t approve of that. Yeah, she did, she was on stage with us,” Goonew’s sister, Ariana Morrow said, reiterating the defiant stance.

Goonew’s family believes that he was the victim of an armed robbery, and Prince George’s County Police is offering $25,000 for information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest.

Here are some comments from folks online:

“This shit is so crazy it deadass makes me uncomfortable”

So basically taxidermy but for humans. Disturbing”

“I don’t know who the rapper #Goonew was, The fact y’all had his dead body propped up at a club is very disrespectful and weird asf. Rapper or not y’all a**es just have me lost for words. Funeral/Viewing at a club with his body propped up on stage. Y’all need some mf help.”

“Our generation is so weird, and people not even fazed by a dead corpse in the club like this. Rip Goonew but I would never set up funeral arrangements like this.”

“They literally said he was melting in there & his mouth was opening up.”

“People do crazy shit now a days!!!”

“Imagine you go to the club expecting to have a good time and they got a whole ass corpse onstage😕And his family approved this?? Like signed off on it and everything?? Good Lord.”

Sources: Dailywire, Nbcwashington, Dailymail, Independent