Here’s a Timeline of Nipsey Hussle’s Murder Case
News of a rapper’s death hits different when he or she is a beacon of hope to the local community, a champion for positive change and looked upon as a leader and role model by many. Nipsey Hussle was all of the above, which has made it difficult for fans and casual observers alike to come to grips with his untimely passing.
Nipsey (born Ermias Asghedom) was shot on March 31, 2019 outside of his The Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Nipsey, who appeared to be the direct target of the shooting, was struck in the head and torso multiple times and later pronounced dead. He was 33 years old.
Following a very hectic immediate aftermath, police apprehended suspected killer Eric Holder two days later. Via surveillance camera footage and eyewitness accounts, police have put what they believe to be a solid motive and concrete timeline of the tragic event, which will leave a void in the hip-hop world and beyond.
“It's just so unfortunate when you look at a guy who believed in what he believed in, talked about how he wanted to give back to his own community, actually gave back to his community and actually stayed in his community,” Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James told CBS2 in the wake of the rapper's death. "To see his life taken away from him by someone in his community that comes from his community, it's one of the most unfortunate events that's happened in American history.”
As the LAPD and prosecutors continue to put the pieces together, XXL outlines everything that is publicly known about the investigation of Nipsey Hussle's murder.
Nipsey Hussle Is Shot and Killed in Los Angeles
March 31, 2019Nipsey Hussle and two other men—Kerry Lathan and Shermi Cervabta Villanueva—are standing in the parking lot in front of the rapper’s The Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles when a shooting occurs around 3:25 p.m. PST, injuring all three men. The Victory Lap rapper is struck multiple times in the abdomen and head and is rushed to the hospital where he is pronounced dead at the age of 33. Another victim is treated at the hospital, while the other declines care.
Police reveal the suspect in the shooting to be a Black man in his 20s who is said to have walked up on the trio and opened fire before fleeing through a back alley and escaping in a waiting getaway car driven by a female.
Just hours before the shooting, Nipsey tweeted the mysterious message, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
Surveillance Video Leaks of Crime Scene
April 1, 2019The day after the shooting, surveillance video leaks from the crime scene. It shows a man approaching the trio in the shopping center parking lot. Seconds after he gets close to the men, one person in the video falls to the ground as if shot while others are seen running away from the immediate area. Law enforcement sources confirm they believe the crime was committed by someone the rapper knew.
Police Identify Suspect in Nipsey Hussle Murder
April 2, 2019Police identify 29-year-old Eric Holder as the suspected gunman in Nipsey’s killing and release the following statement to the public in hopes of getting their assistance in apprehending Holder:
"On March 31, 2019 around 3:20 p.m. three male adults were standing in front of a business in a strip mall in the 3400 block of West Slauson Blvd. The suspect walked up to the men and fired numerous shots at them. The victims were struck and fell to the ground. The suspect ran southbound through an adjacent alley to a waiting vehicle. The suspect entered the passenger side of the vehicle and fled the area. The vehicle is a 2016 Chevy Cruze, white four doors, CA license plate 7Rjd742. The vehicle was driven by and unidentified female."
The same day, LAPD Chief Michel R. Moore shares a possible motive for the slaying during a press conference about the murder. "At this point of our investigation based on witness statements and the background of those that we've identified, we believe this to be a dispute between Mr. Hussle and Mr. Holder," says Moore. "I'm not going to go over the conversation, but it appears to be a personal matter between the two."
Police Arrest Nipsey Hussle Murder Suspect
April 2, 2019Authorities apprehend Holder in the L.A. suburb of Bellflower, Calif., around 1:30 p.m. PST. He is then transferred to the LAPD. The unidentified woman who drove Holder from the crime scene also turns herself in to authorities. She is reportedly later released.
Murder Suspect’s Bond Is Set at More Than $7 Million
April 3, 2019Possibly fearing retaliation from other inmates, authorities place Eric Holder in solitary confinement in jail. A judge sets his bond at $7,040,000.
Murder Suspect Is Officially Charged
April 4, 2019Eric Holder is officially charged with the killing of Nispey Hussle and wounding Kerry Lathan and Shermi Cervabta Villanueva. He faces one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison.
TMZTMZ Murder Suspect Retains Chris Darden for Defense
April 4, 2019Eric Holder retains the services of defense attorney Chris Darden. Darden, a former L.A. County prosecutor, is most famously known for being on the prosecution for O.J. Simpson's murder trial in 1995.
David McNew, Getty ImagesDavid McNew, Getty Images Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
April 4, 2019Holder has an arraignment hearing in which he pleads not guilty to all of the charges against him. A judge sets his next court hearing for May 10.
David McNew, Getty ImagesDavid McNew, Getty Images
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