Rapper killed in North Bay freeway shooting remembered as father, hard-working man

VACAVILLE, Calif. (KTVU) - A man gunned down on I-80 in Solano County is being remembered as a family man, musician, and hard worker.

 "He was so loved, he was so loved," Mia Edwards told KTVU, describing her husband of seven years, Robert Edwards, age 33. "All that I ask is that people respect his legacy and honor him." 

The freeway shooting happened Saturday evening just after 6 p.m.

Edwards was driving eastbound toward his home in Sacramento when someone opened fire on him, near the Orange Avenue Exit at the Highway 505 split. 

"Most of these appear to be targeted, gang-related shootings," said CHP spokesman Officer Jon Fransen, of the Golden Gate Division, leading the investigation. "Our officers found the adult male with at least one gun shot wound, and we discovered multiple bullet holes in the side of the pickup truck." 

Edwards' widow says he did not have any disputes, and was dedicated to his career as a rapper, and a trucking business the couple recently launched. 

"He changed his life, he grew up, he beat so many odds," said Mia Edwards tearfully, "and I watched this man grow and flourish and build something for himself, so it doesn't make sense."

Edwards grew up in Vacaville, and performed as "Big Cholo", best known for the song "High Sidin."

On the evening he died, friends gathered near the scene, creating a memorial with photos, candles, and handwritten messages. 

It has continued to grow over two days.  

"I just know him through my cousins and he was a really good person to them" said one woman who came with her young son to leave flowers. "I'm just here to pay respect and let everyone know, he's really well-respected."  

The CHP says it is aggressively working on the homicide, but at this point, does not have a suspect or vehicle description to publicize. 

"The public needs to feel safe and reassured we will bring all of our resources to bear," said Officer Fransen, "and we need them to provide information even if it seems small at the time, anything out of the ordinary." 

"The only thing Cholo would want is don't let his name die, play his music, keep it lit for him," said Mia Edwards, leaning on the support of friends at the makeshift memorial.   "Everybody's got a past, but he was focused on his music, focused on his business, and the past was the past, you can't move forward living in the past." 

His widow says she will be planning a celebration of life, for anyone who enjoyed her husband's music, whether they knew him personally or not.

Robert Edwards is also survived by a 10-year old daughter from a previous relationship. 

The CHP tipline is (707) 917-4491.