The father of slain reality star Mackayla “Kash” Paige is speaking out about his daughter’s death and asking the public to show compassion for her half-sister, who was charged in connection with the shooting.
Kash, 29, was fatally shot early Sunday, Oct. 11, during a confrontation outside a nightclub in downtown Oakland, California.
The reality star, who was best known for appearing on the Real West Coast Baddies, was involved in a fight with another woman when her half-sister, Vernika Dunbar, allegedly tried to intervene.
Authorities said Dunbar attempted to pistol-whip the other woman when the gun discharged, striking Kash.
Related: Reality Star Mackayla ‘Kash’ Paige’s Sister Charged in Her Shooting Death
Kash was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. Police took Dunbar into custody hours later in nearby Richmond.
Prosecutors charged Dunbar, 38, on Oct. 13 with involuntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and gun-related offenses.
Now, Kash’s father, Mack Paige Jr., is opening up about losing his daughter.
In an emotional interview with local news station KRON 4, Paige Jr. said he was at home in Las Vegas when Kash’s mother called him the day of the incident to say their daughter had been shot in the head.
“I just automatically went numb,” he recalled.
Paige Jr. said he is struggling with what happened.
“It’s just been hard,” he shared. “I dealt with the death of my brother five years ago, but this is my daughter. This is my baby.”
He told the TV station his daughter was much more than the young woman fans saw on Baddies — which features castmembers arguing and brawling.
“All they know is ‘Kash,’ what they see on the Baddies and that was kind of her downfall,” he said.
Paige Jr. explained that his daughter had plans for a new chapter in her life, and was planning to pursue a career as a hairstylist.
Paige Jr. described the shooting as “an unfortunate tragedy” and urged the public to stop criticizing Dunbar online.
He said he is close to Dunbar and believes she is already struggling with what happened.
“People don’t need to be trolling her on the internet. I mean, she’s dealing with a lot,” he said.
The grieving father added that he wants people to remember his daughter as more than a Baddies girl.
“I want people to know Mackayla Paige – not Kash. Like she said, ‘Dad, that’s just a persona.’ She’s human, she’s not no storyline on the Baddies,” he said. “This is somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister, somebody’s auntie, somebody’s niece, somebody’s granddaughter.”
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