Ja Rule Hits Photographer at Jeter Charity Golf Event

Rapper Ja Rule's errant tee shot at a celebrity golf tournament in the Bahamas on Tuesday nearly struck several bystanders, including photographers, during a charity event hosted by baseball legend Derek Jeter.

The incident occurred during the celebrity shootout portion of the Derek Jeter Invitational at the Royal Blue Golf Course in Nassau. Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, was preparing his swing amid a crowd when he addressed onlookers, saying, "I got to ignore yall right now, I got to put this thing up." His shot veered sharply to the right, striking a photographer working for Jeter's foundation in the elbow and prompting the crowd to gasp collectively. Golfweek senior writer Adam Schupak, who was nearby and captured the moment on video, later posted on social media that the ball "almost took me and a bunch of photographers out." The photographer, with 40 years of experience covering golf, told Schupak it was the first time he had been hit by a ball on the job.

Ja Rule immediately extended his hand in apology toward the affected individual, while a fellow participant dropped to one knee in apparent surprise. No serious injuries were reported, and the mishap did not...