Peter 'P. Fluid' Forrest, a key figure in the New York funk-rock scene as a vocalist for the band 24-7 Spyz and a member of the Black Rock Coalition, tragically lost his life in the city on Monday, January 13.

As per news sources, 64-year-old Forrest was discovered lying face down in a pool of blood in the rear of the ambulette bus he operated on Monday morning, having sustained severe injuries. His coworkers at Marquis Ambulette, a Long Island-based firm, dialed 911 after he failed to complete scheduled pick-ups and did not respond to their calls.

The New York Police Department is treating his death as a homicide, but as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.

In 1986, Forrest teamed up with guitarist Jimi Hazel, bassist Rick Skatore, and drummer Kindu Phibes to establish the band 24-7 Spyz. The ensemble blended elements of hard rock with funk, soul, hardcore, jazz, and reggae, frequently being associated with their contemporaries Living Colour in media coverage.

Forrest recorded two albums with the band, 1989's Harder Than You, and 1990's Gumbo Millennium, but left the group before they signed a major label deal with East West Records, who released their third album Strength in Numbers in 1992. The quartet's original line-up reunited for 1995's Temporarily Disconnected, after which Forrest quit once more.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Jimi Hazel has paid tribute to his former bandmate.

“What an interesting dude,” he says. “I’m grateful to him because if we had not met up on the street in 1986, 24/7 Spyz would not have happened. You either loved him or hated him, but if you loved him, you loved him unconditionally. He was a motherfucker, but he was a good motherfucker.”