UPDATE: April 2, 2019
The Los Angeles Police Department has released the name and photo of the suspect wanted for the homicide of Nipsey Hussle:
Eric Holder is wanted for Homicide in the shooting of Nipsey Hussle. He was last seen in a 2016 white 4 door Chevy Cruze CA license plate 7RJD742. Anyone with information related to his whereabouts or this deadly shooting is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide at 323-786-5100 pic.twitter.com/3pX4fbezDs
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019
ORIGINAL STORY: Published April 1, 2019
LeBron James, Ava DuVernay, Rihanna, John Legend and many other celebrities and activists are taking to social media while mourning the death of Nipsey Hussle. A Grammy-nominated rapper and entrepreneur who believed in uplifting his community by investing in STEM education, Nipsey was a victim of gun violence.
RIP Nipsey. I just spent Thursday with him filming a video for a beautiful new song we created with Khaled. We filmed in Inglewood, close to where he grew up. He was so gifted, so proud of his home, so invested in his community. Utterly stunned that he’s gone so soon.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 1, 2019
The 33-year-old was shot multiple times outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. Two other men were shot. A suspect, a Black male in his 20s, fled the scene in a getaway car, and remains at large. Nipsey, whose real name was Ermias Ashgedom, was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He had tweeted hours prior to his death:
Having strong enemies is a blessing.
— THA GREAT (@NipseyHussle) March 31, 2019
According to the Los Angeles Times, law enforcement sources said they believe the killer is someone the rap star knew and the motive is likely personal in nature, rather than a larger gang feud.
Nipsey was actually scheduled to meet with the city’s police chief and the president of the police commission Monday afternoon to talk about ways to stop children from becoming involved in gangs. As a teen, he was a member of the Rollin’ 60s, a notorious Crips gang clique. But he turned his life around and focused on efforts to support his community.
Police are now hunting for his killer.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted Sunday night that his death is another loss to “senseless gun violence”:
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.
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) April 1, 2019
The murder occurred in view of a nearby surveillance camera. The footage was obtained by TMZ. The actual shooting is difficult to see as it’s from a distance. But at one point you see the victim fall to the ground while others scatter.
Nipsey’s 10-plus-year rap career was fueled through his underground mixtapes. In 2013, he sold copies of his CD “Crenshaw” for $100 each at a pop-up shop in Los Angeles. Jay Z bought 100 copies.
He released his first studio album, “Victory Lap,” last year. It earned him a 2019 Grammy nomination, but he lost out to Cardi B.
Nipsey, from the Crenshaw area of L.A., was in a five-year relationship with model and actress Lauren London. The couple shared a young son, Kross. Nipsey also had a daughter, Emani Asghedom.
He was co-owner of the Marathon Clothing label, which sports Crenshaw logos. Nipsey opened his first standalone Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles in 2017.
The recording artist also invested his money into educational business programs to help the community.
He opened Vector 90, an innovative co-working space and STEM center in Crenshaw, in February. He desired to help provide a path for minority and underrepresented groups to find opportunities in Silicon Valley.
Activist Michael Skolnik tweeted:
Nipsey was all about his community, investing in Vector 90, a co-working space in South Central LA for entrepreneurs and place for young people to take classes in STEM. Please take a moment to watch this. His legacy. pic.twitter.com/OnrPS3cZeQ
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) April 1, 2019
Nipsey was also a community partner for Destination Crenshaw, a new outdoor arts and culture and music event that celebrates Black Los Angeles.
The outpouring of respect for him continues on social media:
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 @nipseyhussle pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
I shared a long plane ride with @NipseyHussle right as his major label debut album Victory Lap dropped. We journeyed from Los Angeles to New York on an epic trip, discussing weighty intellectual matters & soul charging moral/racial concerns. He was one of the most intelligent (1) pic.twitter.com/hp8jrNA58O
— Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) April 1, 2019
I’ll remember him this way. Bright, genuine, forward thinking.
I’ll remember the beauty that he saw in our community. And the beauty that he was.
He loved us. He’s left that love with us. And it cannot die.
Rest in Power, King. You mattered. #FarewellNipsey pic.twitter.com/fiSvURrz3U
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 1, 2019
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. ?? https://t.co/7gZ795wcQT
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) April 1, 2019