Lil Wayne is mourning the loss of Robert Hoobler, a New Orleans police officer who saved the rapper’s life at age 12.
“Everything happens for a reason. I was dying when I met u at this very spot,” Weezy posted on Instagram, posting a photo of the officer. “U refused to let me die. Everything that doesn’t happen, doesn’t happen for a reason. That reason being you and faith. RIP uncle Bob. Aunt Kathie been waiting for u. I’ll love & miss u both and live for us all.”
According to Nola, Hoobler’s friends said the 65-year-old, who had experienced health complications in recent years, was found dead in his home Friday.
The former officer responded to the scene when Lil Wayne shot himself in the chest at age 12 while handling a 9 mm pistol in his mother’s apartment.
Hoobler, who was off duty, heard the police radio report and rushed to the scene with five other officers. With no ambulance available, Hoobler carried then-12-year-old Wayne to the back seat of a police car and laid him across his lap.
Officer Kevin Balancier drove to the closest emergency room while Hoobler held him and attempted to keep him awake.
“Stay awake, son. You’re going to be fine. You’ll see,” Hoobler said at the time, according to Nola.
Lil Wayne, who was born Dwayne Carter Jr., has told the story in interviews. The Grammy-winning rapper said he never knew racism because of “Uncle Bob,” the white officer who saved his life.
Hoobler retired from the police department and started working at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2009. After being fired in 2012 for shooting a man he was arresting with a stun gun, Hoobler took a plea deal and served probation. He later received a pardon due to being a first-time offender.
