Pregnant Atlanta Rapper Allegedly Targeted in Murder-for-Hire Plot; Unborn Child Also Dies |
The SouthSide Signal |
LaMont Gilbert and the Team
Jun 30, 2026
 |
ATLANTA, Ga. — What should have been the beginning of a new chapter ended in tragedy after an Atlanta rapper and nursing student was fatally shot in what investigators describe as a targeted killing. Authorities say Qualicia "Cidity" Barnes, 33, was found inside her black Range Rover during the early morning hours of April 8, 2026, after being shot multiple times. Barnes was approximately 14 weeks pregnant, and her unborn child did not survive. According to investigators, Barnes had allegedly been involved in a relationship with a married man. Prosecutors allege that after she refused to terminate the pregnancy, a $30,000 murder-for-hire plot was orchestrated. Those allegations are now part of an ongoing criminal prosecution, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Investigators say Barnes had planned to board a 6:30 a.m. flight to Detroit later that morning to stay with her sister during her pregnancy. She never made it to the airport. Known professionally as "Cidity," Barnes was more than an emerging rapper. Friends say she was focused on building a future outside of music. Originally from Southwest Detroit, she had spent years establishing herself in Atlanta while collaborating with artists including Icewear Vezzo, Babyface Ray, and Peezy. Outside the recording studio, Barnes was pursuing a career in healthcare. She was enrolled at South College in Chamblee, where she was just two semesters away from earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She had also earned recognition on the Dean's List and operated her own online clothing business, Soidity Boutique. The case has generated significant attention nationwide because of the allegations surrounding the motive and the loss of both Barnes and her unborn child. Authorities continue to investigate the case as it moves through the court system. The SouthSide Signal will continue following this case and provide updates as new information becomes available. |