Rapper Nipsey Hussle killed in Los Angeles shooting

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, best known by his stage name as rapper Nipsey Hussle, has reportedly been shot and killed in Los Angeles. The incident took place outside the rapper's store, Marathon Clothing, in LA's Hyde Park neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon.

It was just this year that the 33-year-old was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys. The album Victory Lap debuted at number four in the charts, and featured collaborations with the likes of P Diddy and Kendrick Lamar.

"It's my debut album so for my first one [to be nominated] out the gate, it's like, it was overwhelming a little bit," he said during an interview with the recording academy on the night of the awards show. "It was inspiring, humbling."

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, there was a shooting reported at 3:20pm in the area of Slauson Ave and Crenshaw Blvd. Three victims were taken to a local hospital, and one was pronounced dead. "We have no suspect info at this time and will provide more details as they become available," they said in a statement.

Just hours before the shooting took place, the rapper posted a tweeted referring to his "enemies".

"Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy," LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said in his statement. "L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence. My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief."

In an interview with the LA Times last year, he spoke about his upbringing:

"I grew up in gang culture. We dealt with death, with murder. 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."

Following the news of his death, crowds gathered at the location where he was shot down to remember his life and celebrate his music. "He did so much for our neighborhood. That's why I'm here today. This has to stop," one man told the Los Angeles Times.

Our thoughts go out to the friends, family and community during this difficult time.