Rapper Nipsey Hussle Shot and Killed in Los Angeles

Update, April 2: Eric Holder, the suspect in Nipsey Hussle’s murder, is now in police custody, according to LAPD.

West Coast rap star Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in Los Angeles today outside of his Marathon Clothing Company store. He was 33 years old.

The perpetrator and motive of the shooting are unknown. Two other people were shot and are in critical condition, police told NBC News. Hours before his death, Hussle, born Ermias Davidson Asghedom, tweeted “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”

Hussle, who was born and raised in South Los Angeles, was known as a leading voice in West Coast rap. He broke onto the scene with a debut mixtape in 2005, and was nominated for a Grammy in 2018 for his album, Victory Lap. 

Hussle was an entrepreneur and community activist driven by a mission to invest in the black community. In 2018, he debuted a coworking space and learning center called Vector90 with the goal of giving inner-city youth the tools to pursue careers in science and tech. In the same shopping plaza as his Marathon Clothing Company store, he opened an eatery, Slauson Fish Market, to give local residents healthier food options. Hussle’s death came a day before a scheduled meeting with the Los Angeles Police Department to advise them on curbing violence.

Hussle leaves behind two children and girlfriend Lauren London.