LAPD Reportedly Eyeing Suspect Nipsey Hussle ‘Likely Knew’

Nipsey Hussle (Credit: Shutterstock)

Los Angeles police have reportedly identified a suspect in the slaying of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

According to the Los Angeles Times, investigators believe they have the shooter in their sights.

Citing sources in the LAPD, the paper said investigators think “the killer was someone in the rap star’s orbit” who Hussle “likely knew.”

The shooting is being described as “gang-related” because the suspect has gang ties, but police believe the killing was “personal in nature,” and not ordered by a rival gang, the paper reported.

On Monday afternoon, a police spokesman told Urban Hollywood 411 no arrests had been made in the case, however, he declined further comment.

Read More: LA Leaders Call for Calm After Rapper Nipsey Hussle Is Killed

Read More: Rapper Nipsey Hussle Dies After Shooting in South Los Angeles

The rapper, real name Ermias Asghedom, and two other men were shot Sunday afternoon in the 3400 block of West Slauson Ave. in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles.

All three victims were rushed to a local hospital, where Hussle was pronounced dead. The other two men sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Shortly before the shooting, Hussle — who said he was previously part of a street gang — tweeted: “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”

Amid fears that the slaying could spark additional gang violence, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has called for calm.

“Violent retaliation for this event will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement Sunday. “Our communities have lost too many young men and bright futures to the scourge of gun violence.”

The shooting occurred outside Hussle’s Marathon Clothing business, which is in a heavily trafficked strip mall. Some of the businesses at the mall have surveillance cameras that could help police with the investigation.

Steve Soboroff, a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, revealed on Twitter that he had been scheduled to meet with Hussle, LAPD Chief Michel Moore and reps from Roc Nation today to discuss ways to combat gang violence in South L.A.

An LAPD spokesman said despite the rapper’s death, the meeting — which is closed to the public and reporters — was still being held.