The girlfriend of rapper Nipsey Hussle has spoken out on his tragic murder, saying she is "completely lost" without him.
Actress Lauren London took to social media to post an emotional statement after her 33-year-old boyfriend was gunned down on Sunday outside his clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of his native Los Angeles.
Talking to her followers on Instagram, the model paid tribute to her longtime love, saying he was her "sanctuary" and "protector".
"I am completely lost," she wrote. "I’ve lost my best friend. My sanctuary. My protector. My soul.... I’m lost without you. We are lost without you babe. I have no words [sic]."
Alongside her caption were several intimate photos of Hussle, her partner of five years, with one showing the 33-year-old smiling as he held their two-year-old son, Kross, in the air.
The pair began dating in 2013 after London DMed him on Instagram to buy copies of his mixtape. They began talking and shared a long romance, with the pair even rumoured to be engaged in 2018.
In 2015, Hussle penned a moving open letter for London on social media, writing: "Words gone fail me… but actions speak volumes. My job was to make u comfortable enough to be yourself w me…mission accomplished…I love who u are and respect how u hold this s**t down. Thanks for giving me the confidence to love u unconditionally (u know a n***a was raised to b real skeptical!! Lol) We jus gettin started tho! [sic]"
Her tribute provoked a poignant reaction online, with many celebrities and fans taking to the comment section to send their love.
"Sending you love and praying for God to give you and your family all the strength you may need during this time ♥️♥️♥️, [sic]" wrote singer Jennifer Lopez.
Songstress Alicia Keys also commented, saying: "Soulmates forever! We are all Sending you, your babies and your family the brightest most protective and loving collective unified light beautiful sister ?????????. [sic]"
Level Up star Ciara said she was praying for the family, writing: "May God be with you every step of the way along with him in Heaven. We are all lifting you and your family up in prayer at this difficult time. Stay strong mama ❤️ [sic]."
London's Instagram post came after police arrested a man in connection with the Racks In The Middle rapper's murder. The Los Angeles police department said on Tuesday it had detained suspect Eric Holder in Bellflower, a city about 20 miles south-east.
Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, was shot multiple times in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, with a coroner determining the artist had died of gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
Los Angeles police chief, Michel Moore, alleged in a press conference on Tuesday that Holder had argued several times with the Double Up star while standing outside his clothing store and later returned with a handgun and opened fire.
The chief did not say how the two men were acquainted, nor did he reveal any details about their fight, but he confirmed the disagreement between the two men was personal and did not involve gang activity.
Hussle’s death came amid a spike in gun violence in the area and at the same press conference Los Angeles mayor, Eric Garcetti, told the media of plans to deploy new resources to attempt to stop the violence.
The police chief and the president of the city’s police commission had been scheduled to meet with Hussle on Monday to discuss the relationship between the police force and the inner city.
Emotional police commission president, Steve Soboroff read out the email the Grammy-nominated rapper, who also leaves behind a daughter named Emani from a previous relationship, had sent requesting the meeting.
"Our goal is to work with the department to help improve communication, relationships and work towards changing the culture and dialogue between LAPD and your city," it said.
