Los Angeles police have arrested the suspected killer of rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was tragically gunned down outside his clothing store on Sunday.
Police said that 29-year-old Eric Holder, who had been the subject of an intense manhunt since Sunday, was taken into custody after a witness spotted him in Bellflower, about 20 miles from the shooting scene.
According to the Los Angeles Times, L.A. County sheriff’s deputies arrested Holder, who was on foot in the 9900 block of Artesia Boulevard, and brought him to the Lakewood station, where L.A. Police Department detectives picked him up.
While Holder, who was described in the same article as an aspiring rapper who went by the name of “Fly Mac,” is reportedly a member of gang, the dispute between he and Hussle – whose Facebook page pledged allegiance to the Rollin’ 60s, an LA-area gang that is connected to the Crips – was personal in nature.
On Sunday afternoon police said Holder arrived at The Marathon Clothing store on West Slauson Avenue near Crenshaw Boulevard owned by Hussle, 33, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom.
After a conversation with Hussle, Holder left, then returned with a handgun, spraying Hussle and two other men, who remain unnamed, with bullets, police said.
Hussle died a short time later, plunging his fans into mourning and prompting yet another anguished conversation about how to stem gun violence, which has increased in the city in recent weeks after a period of relative calm.
ALSO READ: Rapper Nipsey Hussle gunned down outside clothing store
A woman who allegedly drove the getaway car has been speaking to detectives at LAPD’s 77th Street station, according to law enforcement sources. She is claiming that she was unaware of the shooting when Holder got into the car, which was parked in an alley, a source said.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore and other city officials praised Hussle for his work beyond music, from the small businesses he purchased in the Crenshaw District neighborhood where he grew up to his creative thinking about entrepreneurship as a path away from violence and poverty.
Mayor Eric Garcetti had this to say in a statement, “He was a gifted and brilliant artist, an entrepreneur who found global success, who was working closely with this city to save lives and transform them, even as he was doing that for himself,” He added, “He was a tireless advocate for the young people of this city and this world, to lift them up with possibility and to not be imprisoned by where you come from or past mistakes.”
After a brief silence, long-time girlfriend Lauren London finally Instagrammed her feelings about the tragic incident:
LAPD Commissioner Steve Soboroff said the deceased rapper had planned to meet with officials to discuss ways to fight gang violence in the city. He added that the meeting, including members of Hussle’s family and his label Roc Nation will continue as scheduled.
Source: Multiple
