Rapper Nipsey Hussle's Los Angeles Vigil Descends into Chaos Leaving Multiple People Injured
Hundreds of mourners gathered together for what was supposed to be a peaceful memorial in honor of Nipsey Hussle Monday night. Instead, grieving fans found themselves running for their lives after chaos erupted at the parking lot where the late rapper was gunned down just one day before.
At least six people have been injured, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department tells PEOPLE. A later report in the L.A. Times put this figure at 19.
At this time, it is unknown how those people were injured, police say they were “possibly stabbed.”
Initial reports from the scene suggested people had been shot and some in the crowd believed they had heard gunshots prompting many to run. However, police say there is “no evidence of that.”
“It’s still a very fluid situation,” the LAPD spokesman tells PEOPLE.
The LAPD also spoke about the incident on Twitter writing, “Our men and woman are on scene and making every effort to protect everyone in attendance at the Nipsey Hussle vigil.”
“Reports of shots fired at the vigil do not appear to be accurate. We do have injured in the chaos and are attempting to restore order,” the LAPD tweeted.
In videos shared on Twitter, a stampede of people can be seen fleeing the parking lot where Hussle’s clothing store Marathon Clothing company is located in Hyde Park.
LAPD Police Chief Michael Moore later tweeted “Informally initial report by LA Fire identifying 12 treated at scene, one transported. No clear nature of that injury. Many treated on scene for sprained ankles.”
Police are still currently on the scene, doing their best to clear out the area.
Hussle died on Sunday from gunshot wounds to both the head and torso, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed Monday. He was 33.
The “Double Up” rapper was shot in the parking lot outside of his clothing store.
“Paramedics were called and [Hussle who was born Ermias Joseph Asghedom] was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.,” the coroner said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Our men and women are on scene and making every effort to protect everyone in attendance at the Nipsey Hussle vigil.
Reports of shots fired at the vigil do not appear to be accurate. We do have injured in the chaos and are attempting to restore order.— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019
Informally initial report by LA Fire identifying 12 treated at scene, one transported. No clear nature of that injury. Many treated on scene for sprained ankles.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) April 2, 2019
“Today, an autopsy was performed, and it was determined Asghedom died from gunshot wounds of the head and torso.”
“The manner of death was certified as a homicide,” the coroner added.
Two other people were also shot and their conditions listed as stable on Sunday.
“Right around 3:20 this afternoon, there was a shooting that occurred at the 3400 block of West Slauson Avenue,” a public information officer with the Los Angeles Police Department told PEOPLE shortly after the attack. “Three individuals, three victims were shot. They were taken to a local hospital. One of those victims died at the local hospital, the other two are listed in stable condition.”
The PIO added: “The subject responsible for the shooting fled in some type of vehicle, but I do not have the information of the type of vehicle he fled in.”
Just hours before the shooting, Hussle tweeted, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
There have been no arrests made over the shooting at this time.
Hussle’s sudden death comes after Victory Lap, his debut and final album, was nominated for best rap album at the Grammy Awards in February.
In addition to his musical success, the beloved rapper had a strong impact on his community.
As Hussle rose to fame, he kept his ties to his community and began focusing on helping make a meaningful impact on his neighborhood of Crenshaw.
In February, Hussle and business partner Dave Gross also spent “a couple million” to buy a strip mall near where he grew up, in order to help revitalize the neighborhood, according to Forbes. His clothing store, the Marathon Clothing, is one of the tenants of the property.
“Before we was renting here, I was hustling in this parking lot,” he told the outlet.
Within the next 18 months, the outlet reported that Hussle and his business partner planned to totally revamp the area, adding in a six-story residential building on top of the new commercial plaza. Additionally, a new train station was being built nearby.
Hussle leaves behind his longtime love Lauren London, whom he dated for five years. The couple, who recently opened up about their romance to GQ, shared 2½-year-old son Kross.
Hussle was also dad to daughter Emani from a previous relationship.
