Chaos erupted at a Los Angeles vigil for rapper Nipsey Hussle Monday night.
Los Angeles police said someone brandishing a gun caused hundreds of people to panic and trample fellow mourners.
The crowd erupted into a stampede, cutting the vigil short at 8 p.m. Nineteen people were taken to the hospital, including two who were reportedly in critical condition.
Initial reports said that shots were fired into the crowd. However, LAPD later said those claims did “not appear to be accurate.”
Our men and women are on scene and making every effort to protect everyone in attendance at the Nipsey Hussle vigil.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019
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.
On Tuesday, police announced they're on the hunt for 29-year-old Eric Holder, the alleged shooter of the Grammy-nominated artist and neighborhood activist.
LIVE: #LAPD Provides Update on the Nipsey Hussle Investigation and the Surge in Violence Within the City of L.A. https://t.co/GP27w1ZTxD
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019
The LAPD took to Twitter and released a photo and description of Holder.
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
The 33-year-old rapper was gunned down in front of his Los Angeles clothing store in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
New dramatic surveillance footage appears to show the gunman walking up to Nipsey, born Ermias Asghedom, and two other men and opening fire. Nipsey falls to the ground and the other two men run away from the gunman.
Also on Monday night, Queens rapper Dave East hosted a vigil for his friend outside the former Manhattan hotspot Santos Party Haus. In 2012, Nipsey performed at the venue and it became one of the most talked about performances of his career.
East had balloons that spelled out Nipsey's name, and he had some choice words for his friend’s shooter, saying, “a sucker took out a f****** king.”
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