Sean “Diddy” Combs saw Biggie Smalls get murdered, but his bodyguard was more worried about Diddy’s safety that night. In 1997, after a party, Diddy and Biggie left in separate cars. When shots were fired at Biggie’s car, Diddy’s bodyguard, Gene Deal, felt that Diddy was in danger.
Even though Diddy had offered Gene the night off, Gene felt he needed to be there. He later said, “I saw this kid lose his life — this kid died while I was pulling him out of the car.” He believed that if he hadn’t been there, Diddy could have been the one harmed. Gene felt a strong sense that someone would get shot that night, and he did everything he could to protect Diddy.
Gene Deal, Diddy’s bodyguard, felt that Biggie’s bodyguards should have done more to protect him, which made Biggie’s death especially painful for him. He said, “The people guarding Big didn’t do everything they could to stop it, and that hurts me, even though he wasn’t my principal.” Gene added that every time he hears Biggie’s music or sees a mural or statue, it brings back the pain of losing him.
After Biggie was shot, Diddy rushed to the hospital. On the way, he had a feeling that Biggie might be dead, but hearing it from the doctors was still a huge shock. He recalled, “I was on my knees praying the whole time. I just couldn’t understand. It was moving so fast. I couldn’t believe it was real.”
After getting the news, Diddy had to call Biggie’s mother to tell her what happened. He described how it was difficult because Damien, who was also on the call, broke down in tears while telling her. Diddy had to calm her down and help arrange for someone to be with her.
Once Diddy returned to the hotel, the reality of Biggie’s death started to sink in. Because of the situation, people around him feared he might be targeted next, so they urged him to leave Los Angeles. Diddy said, “I woke up, and everybody was panicking, telling me to get out of L.A. I just couldn’t move. I was stuck.”
Diddy described feeling very sad as he was leaving Los Angeles. He said, “As I was getting on the plane and saw it pulling up, I just broke down. I was about to leave L.A. without my friend. He was left behind in the morgue, just lying there. That felt so messed up to me. I was getting on a plane while my friend was in a morgue. I just wanted him to be with me, sitting right there, going back to New York together.”
