Reality TV Star Kash Dies in Oakland Shooting as Police Arrest Woman

A 29-year-old reality television personality known as Kash was fatally shot in downtown Oakland, California, early Sunday, October 11, 2026. Oakland police arrested a woman from Richmond in connection with the killing, but investigators have not identified the suspect publicly, announced charges, or disclosed what triggered the confrontation near 14th and Harrison streets.

The victim was identified as Mackayla Paige by her family, police, and the streaming network Now That's TV, according to ABC7 News. Officers responding shortly after 1:30 a.m. found Paige with a gunshot wound and attempted lifesaving measures before she was transported to a hospital, where she died.

The Oakland Police Department's Homicide Section is investigating. Authorities have not established whether Paige knew the arrested woman or confirmed the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Paige appeared on reality programs including "Young & Reckless," "RoomH8z" and "Real West Coast Baddies." Now That's TV also remembered her appearances on "Young & Reckless," "Roommhates" and "Now That's Riot" in a tribute posted to Instagram after her death.

Her cousin Nicky Clayton described Paige as ambitious, saying she wanted to build a business, pursue modeling opportunities, and work in makeup. Clayton also said Paige had spent time with family before the shooting.

"She wanted to be famous so bad," said Nicky Clayton, Paige's cousin. "She still had morals, don't get me wrong. She wanted to be a reality star.

She [wanted] to start her own business. She was modeling for a lot of companies, and she really wanted to do makeup."

Clayton struggled to understand how the shooting occurred and expressed disbelief while helping relatives establish a memorial near the scene.

"She was chilling. She was with family. So she supposed to be good. I don't know what transpired, but I know she's supposed to be here," said Clayton.

Clayton's grief was also evident as she reflected on losing her cousin.

"I'm in disbelief," said Clayton.

Paige's friend Poodahh remembered her as an outgoing person who encouraged those around her. Poodahh, who had the words "Spoil Me With Kash" tattooed on her hand, said Paige regularly pushed her to improve herself.

"Oh my God, she was so fun. Was she not hella fun? Oh my God, this girl was so fun. She had us everywhere," said Poodahh, who described herself as one of Paige's girlfriends.

Poodahh said Paige's influence extended beyond her public profile and that she consistently encouraged friends to pursue their potential.

"She pushes me to be better every day. She sees when I'm not giving it my all, and she pushes me to be what she knows I could be," said Poodahh.

She also described the difficulty of accepting Paige's death.

"She's not gone. I can't speak to her in the past tense," said Poodahh.

Poodahh continued to remember Paige as someone whose ambitions and personality had made a lasting impression on her circle.

"I'm sorry for all of our loss, because she's a star," said Poodahh.

Paige's death came just over a week after another fatal shooting connected to the broader Bay Area reality television entertainment scene. On October 3, 2026, Ulysses Tykee Davis, a 47-year-old security guard and father of six, was shot and killed outside San Francisco's Warfield Theatre following an event associated with the reality series "Baddies USA." Prosecutors charged 32-year-old Shakia Vanderbilt with murder in that case.

The separate incidents prompted renewed debate about reality television programs that feature physical confrontations. Dr. Donnetrice Allison, chair of the Africana Studies Department at Stockton University in New Jersey, said she was concerned about how entertainment and online popularity can influence behavior.

Allison challenged the argument that such programming is harmless.

"People say 'It's harmless entertainment.' I really don't think it's that," said Allison.

She also discussed the pressure to attract attention on social media and the possibility that increasingly extreme behavior can generate online visibility.

"Nowadays, the way to get popular fast is for something over the top, and then you get a bunch of views, and then that's how you become known," said Allison.

Allison raised concerns about producers' roles in encouraging confrontations and how behavior shown on television might affect audiences. However, authorities have not established a connection between reality television programming and Paige's death.

Video circulating on social media purportedly shows an altercation involving Paige before her death. ABC7 News said it had not independently verified whether the footage depicted the fatal encounter, and police had not confirmed the circumstances shown.

Now That's TV paid tribute to Paige after her death, writing, "Though her time with us was far too short, her memory will live on," the network said in its Instagram tribute.

Oakland police have not released a motive or announced charges against the woman arrested in connection with the shooting. The homicide investigation remains ongoing.