A Nipsey Hussle vigil ended in chaos after the crowd thought someone was shooting a gun.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of Hussle’s clothing store to pay their respects to the slain rapper, The Los Angeles Times reports.
Hussle was killed on Sunday after he was shot several times while he stood in front of the store, as Blavity previously reported. He was 33 years old.
The memorial was peaceful until around 8 p.m. when people began to run. Initial reports erroneously reported shots were fired.
#BREAKING Reports of shots fired at a vigil for @NipseyHussle.
Woman struck by a vehicle, possibly while trying to flee the area in a stampede after those gunshots. Ambulance requested. pic.twitter.com/QKqodDj9sz
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) April 2, 2019
Witness Deandre Harvey claimed a fight broke out and people mistook breaking glass for gunfire. He believes the crowd panicked when someone shouted, “they’re shooting,” during the chaos.
“I don’t know who was fighting,” Harvey said. “I didn’t actually see the punches, but you just saw arms rolling and glass breaking and everybody running.”
Alex Alonso, who was also at the memorial, told a similar story.
“I didn’t hear gunshots,” he said. “I just saw everyone running for their lives.”
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The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) tried to control the crowd by erecting barricades.
Nineteen people were taken to local hospitals to treat injuries related to the stampede and broken glass.
Hussle’s death is currently under investigation.
A Los Angeles County coroner said the rapper succumbed to shots to his head and torso, according to TMZ.
The LAPD identified 29-year-old Eric Holder as a potential suspect and issued an arrest warrant. Authorities believe he is the man seen in security camera footage of the incident.
"Eric Holder is wanted for the homicide in the shooting of Nipsey Hussle,” the LAPD said. “He was last seen in a 2016 white 4 door Chevy Cruze, CA license plate 7RJD7842. Anyone with information related to his whereabouts or this deadly shooting is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide at 323 786-5100."
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