Nipsey Hussle Shooting Seen on Surveillance Video: Report

Nipsey Hussle performs onstage at the Warner Music Pre-Grammy Party at the NoMad Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2019. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Warner Music)

Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s murder took place near a surveillance camera, and a possible suspect was seen, TMZ reported on April 1.

The entertainment website obtained the video from a nearby business, located near where the shooting unfolded, in Los Angeles. The business was next to the Marathon Clothing store, which is owned by the rapper, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom.

On the left side of the screen, someone enters the frame from an alley before quickly walking toward the store.

The footage then shows a victim who appears to collapse to the ground while several people flee.

It’s not clear if the suspect is one of those people were seen running away from the shooting. TMZ also noted it’s not clear whether the victim is Asghedom.

Police have described the shooter as a black male who is in his 20s. They said that he escaped in a vehicle driven by a woman.

Police said Asghedom was one of three men shot, and the other two were in stable condition, reported The Associated Press.

Law enforcement sources, meanwhile, told the Los Angeles Times that the shooting appears gang-related.

“At this point, we’re not even sure as to whether he walked up, rode a bicycle or drove up in a car,” a police official told the LA Times.

Hours before his death, Asghedom tweeted, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”

Asghedom previously said he joined the Rollin 60s Crips set when he was a teen.

“We dealt with death, with murder,” he told the LA Times in 2018.

“It was like living in a war zone, where people die on these blocks and everybody is a little bit immune to it. I guess they call it post-traumatic stress, when you have people that have been at war for such a long time. I think L.A. suffers from that because it’s not normal yet we embrace it like it is after a while.”

According to AP, a large crowd gathered outside the store as night fell. Detectives were canvassing the area for witnesses and looking to see if any surveillance video captured the shooting, police Lt. Chris Ramirez said. Investigators had not yet determined a motive or identified any suspects, Ramirez said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti was among the many people expressing condolences. “Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy. L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence,” he tweeted.

“This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this!,” Rihanna tweeted about the rapper. “Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle.”

Asghedom leaves behind two children. He was engaged to actress Lauren London.

According to TMZ, the rapper had planned to meet with Los Angeles Police Department’s chief and commissioner on April 1 to prevent gang-related violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.