Rapper Nipsey Hussle, 33, shot dead outside his LA clothing store moments after tweeting 'having strong enemies is a blessing'
Rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot dead moments after meeting with fans just outside his LA clothing store. Hussle was due to meet with the police in order to discuss the ever-rampant gang violence.
The 33-year-old Grammy nominee was shot down in LA after he posed with his fans for pictures. He had also taken to Twitter to share, "having strong enemies is a blessing," a few moments before he was shot. Hussle whose real name is Ermias Asghedom was shot along with two other people outside the Marathon Store in LA on Sunday afternoon at around 3.20 pm. Hussle was shot multiple times and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The two other men are believed to be in stable condition.
Eyewitnesses spotted a man leaving in a vehicle post the shooting. The Los Angeles Police Department revealed that they are still on the lookout for the suspect who they are only describing as a black male. Since the shooting, video clips showing Hussle receiving CPR on the scene have emerged. Just moments before the shooting took place, he was seen posing for a picture along with a fan's child.
LA Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff took to Twitter on Sunday night to share that he and LAPD Chief Michel Moore were due to meet Hussle along with Roc Nation representatives to discuss gang violence. He wrote, "We (@LAPDChiefMoore and I ) were meeting, at the request of @NipseyHussle with him and @rocnation tomorrow at 4 pm to talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids. I'm so very sad."
Moore further added how there had been a total of 10 murders in the past week and wrote on Twitter, "Tonight's homicide in South LA represents the latest loss in a troubling surge in violence. Since last Sunday 26 victims have been shot & 10 homicides—that's 36 families left picking up the pieces. We will work aggressively with our community to quell this senseless loss of life."
Hussle who is survived by his two-year-old son Kross and daughter Emani had become a community organizer in South LA and was working on the Destination Crenshaw arts project and also opened up a co-working space known as Vector 90 in Crenshaw in order for young people to take classes in science, technology, and math.
Ever since the news of the shooting broke, many celebrities such as Rihanna, Drake, and Snoop Dogg have taken to social media to pay their heartfelt tributes. Several hours after the shooting, Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to share, "It's f***ed up, man. I just want to send prayers out to Nipsey Hussle's family and Lauren London and her family. It's f***ed up, man. This is f***ed up. Prayers out to the whole family, man. This s*** got to stop, man."
Rihanna also posted, "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."
Rapper Nas expressed his condolences with a heartfelt letter to fans, in honor of Nipsey’s legacy:
Singer Pharell Williams tweeted saying: "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."
While Drake too paid an emotional tribute to the rapper, calling him 'a real one'.