Security guard fired shots at Drake’s Toronto home amid argument with Kendrick Lamar

A security guard was shot outside the home of Canadian rapper Drake overnight, according to Toronto police.

Police said suspects shot the security guard at the corner of the Park Lane Circle property in a vehicle around 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) on Tuesday before fleeing the scene.

It remains unclear whether Drake was home at the time of the incident or whether he was the target of the shooting.

He is currently engaged in a war of words with US rap competitor Kendrick Lamar.

However, police said it was too early in their investigation to discuss a motive.

“We are in contact with (Drake’s) team and they are cooperating,” Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force told reporters Tuesday morning.

He said police are currently reviewing video that captures the shooting but are not releasing any information about it because of video quality issues.

The victim is in hospital and is in a serious condition, he added.

Witnesses told Canadian media that he suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one in the chest.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters she had been notified of the shooting by police but declined to provide details.

“Any shooting is not welcome in this city and I hope the police find the people breaking the law and catch them,” she said.

The lyrical feud between Drake and Lamar has become bitterly personal, with a barrage of “diss tracks” exchanged between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars over the weekend.

The Canadian’s home in Toronto’s upscale Bridle Path neighborhood is the subject of the cover of Lamar’s latest song, “Not Like Us,” which is currently topping the U.S. and global music charts.

In the song, Lamar accuses Drake of having relationships with underage women and harboring a secret love child, with the image suggesting that he harbors multiple sexual predators under his roof.

Drake’s response, The Heart Part 6, denies the allegations and says he feels “disgusting” by them.

The rapper has spoken about his home, which he calls “The Embassy,” in his own music and on social media. Because of its security needs, its gates are twice as high as city law allows.

Images online show the property cordoned off with crime tape while police investigate the shooting.

The BBC has contacted representatives from both artists for comment.