In the early hours of Sunday, 11 October 2026, Mackayla Paige better known to fans as Kash was discovered lying with an apparent gunshot wound on the 200 block of 14th Street in downtown Oakland. Police responded to a gunfire call shortly after 1:30 a.m. Officers found her critically injured and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Just hours earlier, Kash had posted a series of Instagram Stories that captured her enjoying a night out with friends, dancing in a club and sharing light-hearted jokes. Those videos, shared on Saturday, 10 October, painted a picture of a vibrant influencer who was actively building a following of more than 35,000 fans.
The shooting and immediate police response
Oakland detectives say the victim was discovered near the entrance of the Cave Lounge, a venue that had hosted a birthday celebration for local DJ Butta Smoove the previous night. Emergency personnel treated the scene as a homicide, securing evidence while searching for witnesses. The victim’s identity was initially withheld; her family later confirmed she was Kash. No weapon was publicly reported as recovered, and the exact sequence of events leading up to the discharge of the firearm remains under investigation.
Paige’s reality-TV career and broader ambitions
Before the tragedy, Kash had become a recognizable face on several streaming series, most notably Real West Coast Baddies as well as RoomH8z and Young & Reckless. She was also affiliated with Now That’s TV a platform known for reality programming. In addition to her on-screen work, she pursued a parallel path as a freelance makeup artist, leveraging her social-media presence to attract brand collaborations and aspiring models. Her cousin, Nicky Clayton, recalled that Kash “wanted to be famous so bad” and had concrete plans to launch her own beauty line and expand into modeling.
Investigation, arrest and community response
Within hours of the discovery, Oakland police arrested an adult woman from Richmond on suspicion of involvement in the shooting. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name or disclosed a motive, and they emphasized that an arrest does not equate to a finding of guilt. Detectives have appealed to the public for any video footage, photographs, or eyewitness accounts that could shed light on the incident; tips can be submitted via the department’s tip line (510-238-7950) or email [email protected]. A makeshift memorial quickly emerged near the 14th Street location, where friends, family, and fans placed flowers, candles, and a handwritten note that read, “Rest in peace, Kash.”
Friends remembered Kash as a relentless motivator. One close companion, known as Poodahh, sports a tattoo that reads “Spoil Me With Kash” and described her as “the kind of person who pushed everyone to be better.” The outpouring of grief underscored the impact she had made in a relatively short span, both on screen and within her local community.
