Rick Ross Targeted in Ft. Lauderdale Shooting; Rapper Uninjured

Rick Ross is lucky to be alive.

The Teflon Don escaped serious harm after an unidentified gunman opened fire on his Rolls-Royce as he was cruising around Fort Lauderdale early Monday morning.

The Ft. Lauderdale Police Department confirms that the shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. when the rapper was behind the wheel of his 2011 silver Rolls Royce.

Upon hearing shots rang out, authorities say Ross and his passenger, 28-year-old Shateria L. Moragne-el attempted to drive off, but the barrage of bullets caused him to lose control of the vehicle where it crashed into an apartment building.

According to the Miami Herald, Ross had just left the nearby Floridian Diner where he had celebrated his 37th birthday. Neither sustained any injuries and their assailant subsequently fled the scene before cops arrived.

Police do not yet have a suspect or a motive and are investigating the shooting, which was reportedly witnessed by two bystanders who told detectives the gunman got off about 20 rounds, none of which actually struck the Rolls.

However the Herald noted that a number of the bullets hit surrounding businesses, including the front window of the landmark restaurant where they had just eaten.

When the news first broke, a police spokeswoman initially did not confirm the rapper and his companion were involved, telling NBC Miami that the victims requested anonymity saying they were "fearful for their lives and their families lives." However, several witnesses subsequently ID'd the two as Ross and Moragne-el.

A rep for Ross was unavailable for comment. Last February, Ross made headlines when a body was found murdered outside his Miami Gardens residence, though at the time he wasn't home and while he was questioned, he wasn't considered a suspect.

And before that, the hitmaker was busted in Shreveport, Louisiana in March, 2011 for possession of marijuana. Ross, real name William Leonard Roberts, was also the target of a 2010 lawsuit brought by a convicted drug kingpin named "Freeway" Ricky Ross who accused Ross of copyright infringement for allegedly using his name.

It was later dismissed. Last month, Ross canceled tour dates following death threats.