Nipsey Hussle Killing Suspect Identified by LAPD

Los Angeles police have identified a man they suspect shot and killed rapper Nipsey Hussle on Sunday. 

The police said they are looking for 29-year-old Eric Holder of Los Angeles, who has been linked to the fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. Holder was last seen in a 2016 white four-door Chevy Cruze with CA license plate 7RJD742.

“This has been a tough few days for Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters at a Tuesday media conference. “He was a tireless advocate for the young people of this city and of this world, to lift them up. His impact on our city was deep.” The mayor noted there has been an uptick of gun violence in South L.A. which police are working to combat. 

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LAPD Chief Michel Moore called the slaying “another senseless homicide.” 

“I am devastated with that. [Hussle] was an advocate who was trying to help and was invested in his community,” Moore told reporters. The chief called Holder a “substantial risk to public safety” and asked that he surrender to police. 

Police said Holder had a “personal dispute” with the rapper, but he declined to say over what. “We believe they were known to each other.”

Monday morning, police told The Hollywood Reporter the manhunt for the gunman was “huge,” describing it as an “all hands on deck” operation. 

Born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, the 33-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper and community activist died around 4 p.m. after he was shot multiple times outside his clothing store business, according to police and the coroner’s office. His autopsy was Monday. The L.A. County coroner determined the rapper died from gunshot wounds of the head and torso, with his death being certified as a homicide. Two others were also shot, but survived.

The slaying sent shock waves through the music, sports and entertainment community. Some of the biggest stars across the industries turned to social media to share their heartbreak and anger, including Meek Mill, Pharrell Williams, Chance the Rapper, LeBron James and Ava DuVernay, among numerous others.

LAPD Commissioner Steve Soboroff revealed Sunday that plans had been put in place for the rapper and some of his crew to meet with police to discuss ways he could help combat gang violence and “help us help kids,” he said. “I’m so very sad.” On Monday, Soboroff confirmed to THR that meeting will still take place in Hussle’s honor.

Not even an hour after the shooting, hundreds gathered near the crime scene Sunday to mourn the late rapper. With Hussle’s music blasting, fans and community members — many carrying signs — gathered to honor the man and console one another.

Eric Holder is wanted for Homicide in the shooting of Nipsey Hussle. He was last seen in a 2016 white 4 door Chevy Cruze CA license plate 7RJD742. Anyone with information related to his whereabouts or this deadly shooting is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide at 323-786-5100 pic.twitter.com/3pX4fbezDs

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019