In 1999, Natania Reuben was one of the victims of the Club New York shooting involving Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jennifer Lopez, and rapper Shyne Barrow. Reuben claims that Combs shot her in the face during the incident and got away with it. She is determined to prove her claim by having the bullet fragments removed from her face for ballistics evidence so that the case can be re-opened. Reuben, now 53 years old, is willing to go to great lengths, even if it means risking her life, to seek justice for what happened to her.
Shyne Barrow admitted in court that he fired a gun that night, but Reuben has always maintained that he unfairly took the fall for Combs. She still has nine bullet fragments in her face from the shooting, which took place in the early morning hours on December 27, 1999, at Club New York in New York City. The incident stemmed from a dispute between Combs and his entourage and a Brooklyn drug dealer named Matthew “Scar” Allen. Barrow, who was part of Combs’ crew, was arrested as he attempted to flee the scene with a weapon.
Following the shooting, Combs and Lopez also left the club, but were stopped by police on Eighth Avenue and subsequently arrested. Lopez was released after 14 hours and was never charged in connection with the incident. During a six-week trial in 2001, Barrow was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Combs and his bodyguard, Anthony Jones, were acquitted on weapons charges. Reuben testified during the trial that she witnessed Combs pulling out a gun and shooting her in the face, describing the impact as feeling like a flaming hot sledgehammer.
Despite facing skepticism and denials from some individuals, Reuben has stood by her account of the events since the beginning. She has continuously reiterated that she was present during the shooting, had a clear view of what happened, and was shot directly in the face. Reuben believes that as the survivor, her recollection of the events holds more weight than others who may dispute her claims. She remains resolute in her determination to seek justice for what happened to her and is unfazed by those who question her credibility.
While confident in her version of events, Reuben admits to fear of potential repercussions for her actions. As a healthy woman leading a quiet and risk-averse life, she acknowledges the potential danger in pursuing the reopening of the case and exposing herself to further scrutiny. Reuben expresses concern over the possibility of meeting an “untimely demise,” recognizing that her pursuit of justice could lead to unforeseen consequences. Despite her trepidation, Reuben remains steadfast in her quest for truth and justice, emphasizing the importance of her personal account as a key witness to the events that transpired at Club New York in 1999.
