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BUSTA'S GEM GUARD SLAIN IN VIDEO SHOOT By LARRY CELONA, IKIMULISA LIVINGSTON and DAN MANGAN
RAP STAR & POSSE SCATTER AS BULLETS FLY

Mega-rapper Busta Rhymes narrowly escaped death early yesterday as his bling handler was killed in a hail of bullets after several rowdies were booted from a Brooklyn soundstage where the performer was shooting a celebrity-studded video. "Their shooting started — our shooting stopped," said "K," a man who was part of the technical crew for Rhymes' video version of the song "Touch It" in the Kiss the Cactus studio in Greenpoint.
Rapper Missy Elliott and R&B singer Mary J. Blige were believed to have been on the soundstage when the slaying occurred outside on the street, crew members said.

Other big names, including rapper DMX and middleweight boxers Ronald "Winky" Wright and Felix Trinidad, had been on site throughout the day Saturday to appear in the video.

The dead man was identified as 29-year-old dad Israel Ramirez of Brooklyn, who cops believe was an innocent victim caught in the middle of a dispute unrelated to his job. He had been in charge of Rhymes' jewelry stash for the shoot, guarding it and handing the rap star pieces of bling as needed for scenes.

Shortly before the shooting, Tony Yayo, a convicted felon who is part of 50 Cent's G-Unit rap group, stomped out of the studio after arguing with the video's producer, according to police sources. Yayo was supposed to have appeared on the video.

Cops now want to speak to Yayo, who has done time for gun possession and is on parole. They did not name the Queens native as a suspect.
An electrician crew member said the murder occurred about a half-hour after a small but loud group of "real gangsta-looking, sideways-hats guys" were told to leave because the tense studio was growing too packed with entourages.

"I'm on parole — no one tells me to be quiet!" shouted one of the thugs at a security guard, according to the electrician.
Rhymes, 33, and others were standing outside in front of the studio at 259 Green St. at 12:26 a.m. when multiple shots were fired, sending people scurrying, police said.

Dozens of people sped off in their vehicles before the cops arrived, as others ran into the studio and huddled for cover behind pieces of equipment.

"It was pandemonium," the electrician said.

Only Ramirez was hit, taking a bullet in his back.

"I came out the door, and the cops were here. I saw him on the ground, on the sidewalk," the electrician said. "I heard someone say, 'He's dead.' "
He was taken to Woodhull Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The married Brooklyn resident with three sons was just two days shy of his 30th birthday.

"We're still stunned," said a cousin of Ramirez outside of the Upper West Side home of the dead man's mother. "Give us a little time."

Ramirez's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Hires, said she had to break the news of his death to their 5-year-old son, Styles.

"When I told him, he said, 'Why did God take my father away?' " Hires said. "I need someone to answer."

Cops recovered a 9mm handgun that had been tossed over a fence near the shooting scene, as well as at least eight spent 9mm shells.
They took footage that had been shot for the video and were looking into whether security cameras outside the studio had captured the murder.
But they said their probe was hampered by the fact that they were having trouble contacting Rhymes, as well as 50 others they believe were at the studio when the shooting occurred.

Rhymes — a Brooklyn native who was born Trevor Smith — could not be reached for comment.

His lawyer, Robert Kalina, had no comment other than to express relief that Rhymes had not been hurt.

Additional reporting by Brigitte Williams
larry.celona@nypost.com