T.I.’s Stepdaughter Zonnique Pullins Arrested On Weapons Charges; Cousin Explains Why Singer Had Gun In Purse

Zonnique Pullins, the stepdaughter of rapper T.I., was arrested this week on weapons charges after an X-ray tech at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport found that she was carrying a gun in her purse. The 20-year-old singer was charged and is already back home with her family.

According to People magazine, Pullins was taken into custody Thursday for having a .380 Ruger semi-automatic pistol in her bag. She was going through a security checkpoint when the gun was found. Pullins, who’s mom is former Xscape singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris, was released shortly after 2:00 a.m. Friday.

T.I. and his wife have not commented on Pullins’ arrest, but her cousin Tamara Whitaker took to Instagram to explain what happened. After gushing over her cousin having the “cutest mugshot in the game,” Whitaker wrote: “Let me just clear a couple things up for you guys. Zonnique did get caught with her registered weapon but like most of us she just forgot it was in her really big purse. We were taught in my family that people are crazy out here and carrying a small gun to protect yourself is what’s needed.”

My boo got the cutest mugshot in the game. Let me just clear a couple things up for you guys . Zonnique did get caught with her registered weapon but like most of us she just forgot it was in her really big purse. We were taught in my family that people are crazy out here and carrying a small gun to protect yourself is what's needed . With the late shootings and death of a pop star all in Orlando just this week , I think it's very appropriate that she carries a gun just not to the airport maybe lol. But my girl is home and good so please don't start with the ignorant rumors , she was home and handled before you even heard about it. Zonnique has great parents that made sure she was okay from the moment she was caught. Not all celebrities keep security on them 24/7 they have to protect themselves just like regular people and we all have learned even security can't always protect you . Her mugshot is still cute as hell lol
A photo posted by Tamara Whitaker (@_beautifulrose) on Jun 17, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

Whitaker said with the recent shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and the death of former “Voice” singer Christina Grimmie, she thinks it’s “very appropriate” for her cousin to want to protect herself. “But my girl is home and good so please don’t start with the ignorant rumors … Not all celebrities keep security on them 24/7 they have to protect themselves just like regular people and we all have learned even security can’t always protect you,” she said. “Her mugshot is still cute as hell lol.”

Pullins’ arrest comes just weeks after a fatal shooting at T.I.’s concert which leffatat one person dead and two others injured. Rapper Troy Ave, who accidentally shot himself in the leg during the chaos, was arrested after surveillance video caught him firing shots backstage. The New York Daily News reported that the altercation was sparked by an alleged feud he has with rapper Maino, who had just finished performing. T.I. was the headliner for the concert but never got a chance to take the stage because of the shooting. It was also reported that T.I., who’s been arrested in the past on weapons charges, was not involved in the shooting at his concert.