Police identify suspect in fatal shooting of rapper Nipsey Hussle

Earlier this week it was reported that Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle had been shot and killed in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old was shot outside his store, Marathon Clothing, in the city's Hyde Park neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon.

According to the LAPD, the incident took place on the 3400 block of West Slauson Blvd, at around 3:20pm on March 31. In a statement, the police department clarified that one assailant opened fire upon three male adults who were standing outside a business in the strip mall.

"The suspect walked up to the men and fired numerous shots at them. The victims were struck and fell to the ground. The suspect ran southbound through an adjacent alley to a waiting vehicle. The suspect entered the passenger side and fled the area… The vehicle was driven by an unidentified female.

"Two victims were transported to local hospitals and one refused medical treatment at the scene. One victim, Ermias Asghedom, known as Nipsey Hussle, died as a result of the gunshot wounds he sustained."

Following the announcement of the rapper's death, many fans came out to pay their respects to the late musician, while many others shared their condolences online. As well as fans, there were plenty of collaborators and contemporaries in the music industry that shared their sadness at his death:

Actress and co-creator of Insecure, Issa Rae, told BuzzFeed News that "a sense of hope" was lost when he was killed. Rae, who reportedly grew up with the rapper, had been inspired to give back following her fame after she had seen how he had been "just so purely about his community".

“In my mind, I was like, ‘Cool, as soon as I get coin, that’s the same thing I’m gonna do,’” she said. “And for him to invest so much, to be of the community and then to be gunned down in that same area is just heartbreaking."

“It’s just sad that his life was taken away. A sense of hope was taken away, a sense of promise was taken away and that’s just a tragedy. I’m going to continue doing the fight as much as I can, and fighting his fight, making sure we prioritize us at the end of the day.”

Now, the LAPD have confirmed that they have identified the suspect behind the killing, and are now asking for the public's help in finding him and bringing him to justice. The suspect was named as 29-year-old Eric Holder, from Los Angeles.

A crowd of fans has been gathering outside the store where Nipsey Hussle was shot since the news of his death became known.

For as-of-yet unclear reasons, a stampede occurred as hundreds of fans fled the area. At least two people have been reported to been critically injured and 10 others hurt in the rush.

Nipsey is survived by his girlfriend, Lauren, and his two children, daughter Emani and son Kross.