Rapper Pop Smoke, 20, shot dead by two masked men who broke into his Hollywood Hills home and fired multiple shots
Rapper Pop Smoke was reportedly shot dead in an apparent home invasion robbery on Wednesday according to officials. The 20-year-old, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, was at a home in Hollywood Hills for a party when two men in masks and hoodies broke in. The house that was invaded is owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp's husband Edwin Arroyave.
The suspects entered the premises at around 4.30 am PT according to a report in TMZ and fired multiple shots. One of the shots reportedly struck Pop Smoke who was critically injured and the suspects reportedly fled on foot. Reports suggest that the two men are yet to be caught and the last update about the investigation according to Daily Mail came in at 7.45 am.
So far, it is also not clear if the officials have identified the suspects and their motives for the shooting. Los Angeles Fire Department's first responders were filmed as they carried Pop Smoke out of the home on a stretcher. He was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood by an ambulance and it was here that the rapper was pronounced dead.
It was also reported that a man was taken into custody right after the shooting but was released after it was made clear that he was not involved in the incident.
While Arroyave might own the property Hercules Drive, it was speculated by TMZ that the residence was rented by Pop Smoke. Just hours before the attack, Pop Smoke had shared pictures of himself on Instagram where he poses next to his luggage and one of the shots also saw him posing with his friend Mike Dee.
Since the news broke, many fans have shared condolence messages for the rapper's family and friends on social media platforms including artists Chance The Rapper, Nicki Minaj and 50 Cent.
The young rapper had released his debut mixtape 'Meet the Woo' last summer and the lead single 'Welcome to the Party' reached the Top 5 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.