Nipsey Hussle's Suspected Shooter Identified, Manhunt On
LOS ANGELES, CA — It took less than a day for investigators to identify a suspect in the shooting death of rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed on Sunday outside the Hyde Park clothing store he owned, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Investigators believe Eric Holder, 29, of Los Angeles, shot and killed the rapper, and a manhunt was underway Monday night.
On the day he was scheduled to meet with Los Angeles Police Department brass to discuss ways of stopping gang violence, Hussle was instead being mourned Monday by musicians, athletes and politicians.
Hussle, 33, was gunned down in broad daylight, around 3:20 p.m. Sunday in the 3400 block of West Slauson Avenue, in front of The Marathon Clothing store he founded in 2017 near Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles. Two other men were wounded in the shooting.
Hussle had been scheduled to meet Monday with LAPD Chief Michel Moore and Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff — a meeting Hussle had requested.
“We were meeting at the request of (Hussle) with him and (Jay-Z’s production company Roc Nation) … to talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids,” Soboroff wrote on his Twitter page Sunday night. “I’m so very sad.”
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Soboroff also wrote: “RIP sir. Many of us will join together to stop whatever caused your and so many other tragic unnecessary killings.”
Some media reports have indicated the meeting would still be held, in Hussle’s memory.
Witnesses said a young man approached Hussle and two other men before firing a number of shots and fleeing to a nearby vehicle, prompting suspicion the killing was gang-related. One of the two wounded men was hospitalized in stable condition but the other declined to be taken to a hospital, sources from the Los Angeles police and fire departments told City News Service.
Hussle, a father of two whose birth name was Ermias Asghedon, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A coalition of African-American community leaders held a news conference near the crime scene Monday morning to call on the shooter to turn himself in. They called for an immediate end to black-on-black violence, Project Islamic Hope CEO Najee Ali said.
The Grammy-nominated Hussle was from the Crenshaw neighborhood and worked on music with members of both the Crips and Blood gangs, TMZ reported.
Before he was shot, Hussle tweeted: “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
After news broke that Hussle died, a stream of condolences flooded the Internet.
Los Angeles Lakers all-star forward LeBron James tweeted, “So, so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt.”
The rapper Drake posted on Instagram, “My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this. We just linked for the first time in years and said we were gonna do a new song this summer cause it had been too long. I’m only doing this here cause I want the world to know I saw you as a man of respect and a don. Rest easy …”
Singer Rihanna tweeted, “This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! Dear God may his spirit rest in peace and may you grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you.
Singer/Musician Pharrell Williams tweeted, “You were about something positive and for your community in every chance you had to speak … and because of that you inspired millions … millions who will uphold your legacy forever, Rest amongst the stars.”
Rapper Megatron told reporters at the scene, “Every time I met him (Nipsey) it was love. He was all about helping people.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted, “Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy. L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence.”
“My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief,” Garcetti added.
As homicide detectives investigated the shooting, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore noted it “represents the latest loss in a troubling surge in violence. Since last Sunday 26 victims have been shot and 10 homicides.” He promised to “work aggressively with our community to quell this senseless loss of life.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents South Los Angeles, released a statement calling for restraint in the aftermath of Hussle’s killing.
“I urge calm and a period of reflection,” Ridley-Thomas said. “Violent retaliation for this event will not be tolerated. Our communities have lost too many young men and bright futures to the scourge of gun violence. For healing to occur, even from this terrible incident, justice must be sought through legal means, and community peace must be found.
“I am in contact with law enforcement officials who will provide all the necessary assistance,” Ridley-Thomas said. “And I ask members of the public to come forward with any information related to this incident or any emerging retaliatory response.”
Hundreds of fans congregated outside the clothing store, playing his songs and leaving flowers.
Hussle transformed himself from a Rollin’ 60s Crip to a rap musician and channeled his success into efforts to help other stay out of gangs, according to the Los Angeles Times. He bought shoes for students, re-paved basketball courts and provided jobs and shelter for the homeless, the newspaper reported. He helped renovate a Mid-City roller rink and redeveloped the strip mall that housed his Marathon Clothing shop where he was fatally wounded.
City News Service
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