By Danielle Silvia
Columnist
CNN reported that rapper Nipsey Hussle died after being shot in Los Angeles at around 3:20 p.m. on March 31,. The killing occurred at a nearby clothing store that Hussle owned, according to law enforcement officials.
Hussle was reportedly shot multiple times by 29-year-old Eric Holder, who quickly escaped in a getaway car after firing at the rapper. Hussle was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after from a gunshot wound to the head, according to The Los Angeles Times.
After a two-day search, Holder was arrested on April 2 and has been charged with murder, along with two counts of attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday, April 4, when he was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, according to CNN.
Holder is being held on $5 million bail and could receive 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. He is scheduled to appear in court again on May 10, CNN reported.
Hussle’s death occurred just one day before he was scheduled to meet with Michael Moore, the chief of the city’s police department, about his concerns over gang violence, according to CNN.
“‘Our communities have lost too many young men and bright futures to the scourge of gun violence,”’ said Mark Ridley-Thomas, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, according to CNN. “‘For healing to occur, even from this terrible incident, justice must be sought through legal means, and community peace must be found,’” he stated.
While Holder is believed to be a member of a gang, The Los Angeles Times reported that detectives believe the motive is personal rather than gang-related.
According to NBC, before his death, Hussle tweeted, “‘Having strong enemies is a blessing.’”
While Hussle was the only one who died in the incident, two other people sustained injuries according to police.
CNN reported that they were transported to a local hospital and are currently in stable condition.
