Rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot multiple times outside his clothing store in L.A. on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Hussle (real name Ermias Asghedom) and two other men were reportedly shot at about 3:20pm PT outside the Marathon Clothing in South Los Angeles, and Hussle was later pronounced dead. A suspect has not been identified.
At approximately 3:20 pm there was a shooting reported in the area of Slauson Ave and Crenshaw Blvd. 3 victims were transported to a local hospital where one was pronounced deceased. We have no suspect info at this time and will provide more details as they become available.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) March 31, 2019
As friends and fans mourned his death, Hussle’s last tweet was quickly held up as proof something wasn’t right, which sent some fans into conspiracy theories.
L.A. Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff said in a tweet Sunday night that he was scheduled to meet with Hussle today about “ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids.” South Los Angeles saw 30 shootings over the last week, according to NBC Los Angeles. Hussle, a former gang member, was actively involved in the redevelopment of the Crenshaw neighborhood and had recently been part of the development of Black culture museum Destination Crenshaw and Vector 90, a co-working space that aims to get underrepresented groups into STEM fields.
We (@LAPDChiefMoore and I ) were meeting , at the request of @NipseyHussle with him and @rocnation tomorrow at 4pm to talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids. I’m so very sad https://t.co/rcGtvw9c6L
— Steve Soboroff (@SteveSoboroff) April 1, 2019
Theories circulated the shooting was gang-related. A video that allegedly featured a man claiming he killed Hussle was removed from Instagram.
Nipsey Hussle and Dr. Sebi
Hussle was also reportedly working on a documentary about Dr. Sebi, a Honduran healer who claimed he could cure AIDS and reportedly died from pneumonia at age 82 after being arrested and detained by Honduran officials in 2016. Twitter quickly circulated theories that Hussle and Sebi’s deaths were somehow linked, as well as a clip from The Breakfast Club in which Hussle discusses what might have been behind his death. Dr. Sebi’s practices and claims have long been scrutinized, but his brand is still active. His website is down as of Monday afternoon.
This isn’t a coincidence! Nipsey Hussle was working on a documentary that will narrate Dr. Sebi’s Trial in 1985. Dr. Sebi claimed that he could cure AIDS & was allegedly executed by way of U.S. Medical Corporations because his AIDS remedy would take away from their own profits. pic.twitter.com/rqrvaeSbAi
— Jared Sawyer Jr. (@JaredSawyerJr) April 1, 2019
Before people blame it on gangs and haters.. Please understand what the man was fighting and making people aware of… #biggerthanthestreets #RIPNippseyHussle
— the pharcyde (@thepharcyde) April 1, 2019
Malcolm.
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) April 1, 2019
Fred Hampton.
Tupac Shakur.
Darren Seals.
Nipsey Hussle.
Black men who lead by example and try to build something within their communities are always targets. Eliminate the men, and you remove the first line of physical, psychological, and economic defense.
Elsewhere, fellow performers remembered Hussle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtjyKBhkrz/?utm_source=ig_embed
Watching Nipsey inspired me to invest and own in our communities. He was a solid man who loved his woman, his family and his community. This hurts.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) April 1, 2019
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! 💔🙏🏿
— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a
Nipsey. Lauren. Their children. Their families & millions of fans left devastated. Lift them up & hold them in the light of goodness.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾#RIPNipseyHussle
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) April 1, 2019
I know they’ll kill me in my hood but I just keep on coming thru…. still wit it…. the graveyard throwing a party for all the real niggas…..
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 1, 2019
#TheGame breaks down over the passing of #NipseyHussle 🥺😔 Let’s continue to pray for our city and Nip’s family as we honor his music and legacy 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/04V3vk5IL6
— Power 106 (@Power106LA) April 1, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvsVfWkg78j/?utm_source=ig_embed
H/T NBC