At a memorial to honor the late rapper Nipsey Hussle late last night in Los Angeles, 19 people were injured after something caused the crowd to break out into a stampede, causing chaos and panic.
A group of 300 people were gathered around a candlelight memorial vigil for Hussle and police were already on “modified tactical alert” at the scene.
According to CNN, at around 8:15 p.m., something caused people within the crowd to start running in various directions and into the street. LAPD spokeswoman Meghan Aguilar described the scene as “absolutely chaotic, mass panic.” While people initially believed there were gunshots, the Los Angeles Police Department cleared these reports, noting that something else caused the crowd to flee, although they are unsure exactly what that is at this point.
VIDEO: People running away amid chaos at Nipsey Hussle vigil pic.twitter.com/VmaEB2crZK
— LIVE Breaking News (@NewsBreaking) April 2, 2019
The LAPD said 19 people were transported to the hospital. A majority of those transported were injured from stampeding; the LAPD reports that there were no gunshot wounds to any of the injured. However, two people suffered critical injuries, and two others were “hurt seriously.”
Hussle was standing between cars outside the Marathon Clothing store he owned in Los Angeles’ Hyde Park neighborhood Sunday afternoon when he was shot and killed. Two other men were shot during the incident. Currently, police are seeking Eric Holder, 29, who is wanted in the homicide.
According to the LAPD Commissioner Steve Soboroff, Hussle was scheduled to meet with the commissioner and Police Chief Michael Moore to “talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids” on Monday. The rapper, whose real name was Ermias Ashgedom, was nominated for Best Rap Album at this year’s Grammy Awards for his debut studio album Victory Lap. His previous mixtapes, Slauson Boy Vol. 1 and Crenshaw, paid homage to the neighborhood.
Musicians and athletes took out their grief online, and honored Hussle for his artistry.
This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this! 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 pic.twitter.com/rKZ2agxm2a— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 1, 2019
??????‼️‼️‼️‼️ So so SAD man!! DAMN man this hurt.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 1, 2019
R.I.P Nipsey pic.twitter.com/gjMwgkwrMO
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) April 1, 2019
This is so painful! @NipseyHussle was doing great work for the people. Keep his legacy alive by carrying on his work! Sending love to his family. Rest in Power King ? pic.twitter.com/hE2MNibbZ7
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) April 1, 2019
RIP Nipsey man. This is tragic
— Chance Owbum ? (@chancetherapper) April 1, 2019