GoFundMe Launched For Aspiring Artist Fatally Shot In Peninsula

SAN MATEO — The mother of a man who was fatally shot in San Mateo earlier this month has launched a GoFundMe drive to help cover her son’s funeral costs.

Melota Lasi Jr., also known as “Cutty Banks,” was killed in Dec. 19 in a shooting outside a Wells Fargo Bank at Hillsdale Shopping Center.

“My son was an aspiring artist, creating music and loving all who he was around," she wrote on the GoFundMe page.

“The worst thing that could happed [sic] has happened and I need Help me lay my son to rest. Please. In this sudden tearful time and pandemic I truly need any and all support. Please from a mother’s heart.”

A memorial video was released in Lasi's honor.

Veronica Lasi started the GoFundMe Dec. 20 with the goal of raising $20,000. As of Monday afternoon it had raised over $19,700.

Melota Lasi is among two rap artists fatally shot in San Mateo this year, KTVU reports. Ueta Muasika, also known as "Juice Boi" of the group "Cutthroat Mode," was the other.

"The similarities to the homicide in October are not lost on us, and we're working to determine whether these incidents are related," Police Chief Ed Barberini told KTVU.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage related to this case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Paul Pak at 650-522-7660 or pak@cityofsanmateo.org. Anonymous tips can be submitted here or by calling 650-522-7676.

HOW TO HELP

To contribute please visit here.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner

— Bay City News contributed to this report