Rod Gates, also known as Shooter, is an Atlanta native. He is known for his role in the Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta reality tv series. In the tv series he is portrayed as the bad guy, however, since his time on the show Shooter wants to show the world who he really is. In 2017, Shooter lost his son to gun violence and since then he has been a community advocate for the stop of gun violence and the protection of the children.
Shooter is now working on his own reality project entitled, “Shooter’s World” where he plans to showcase himself as a single father raising his sons.
We had a chance to talk with Shooter about his upcoming project and dive deeper into what life is like for him aside from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.
What caused you to want to get into acting?
Actually, I never thought that I would be acting at all. My homeboy asked me to be a part of a series that he was doing called THE PRESSURE. So when I see myself on camera I realized that I can actually do this. That’s what made me want to become a actor.
How has reality tv shaped your perspective on what off camera versus on camera life is really like?
On screen I am painted as the bad guy, off camera I am the good father. What tv has taught me was to never judge no one under no circumstances. Some people are just doing what it takes to make it and better their family’s living situations.
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned as a single father?
The biggest thing I learned as a father is that time is way more valuable than money. Kids will never remember the nice things that u bought them, but they will remember the time y’all shared on the way to the mall to buy those nice things.
What are some ways to stop gun violence in our neighborhoods?
I think it starts at home, parents have to be parents again. That’s where the structure starts at. If u don’t have structure and discipline in house you definitely won’t have structure outside.
How has advocated for the stop of gun violence impacted your life?
I lost my son to gun violence and it’s a pain that no one ever wants to experience. I feel like God uses me to share my story to the world to try and detour the youth from going in the wrong direction.
How has advocating for the stop of gun violence impacted your life?
I am focusing on dropping my own reality show called shooters world. The show is about me and my kids. I want to show the world that it is actually some good fathers out here. I want to be an inspiration to other fathers to step up to the plate and become fathers to their kids.
Shooter has plans to return to Love and Hip Hop Atlanta as well as starting his acting journey. He is now focused on perfecting his craft and his show will give the world a chance to see the real him.
Be sure to follow him on Instagram @goodshooter
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