Five people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of New York rapper Pop Smoke during a home invasion in Los Angeles, the LAPD announced Thursday.
The 20-year-old rapper, whose real name was Bashar Jackson, died on Feb. 19.
The LAPD released a statement Thursday morning on Twitter, saying detectives arrested three adult males and two juvenile males in connection with the killing. No additional information was provided on a possible motive or the names of the suspects. The police department said it would “provide further details as they become available.”
LAPD Detectives have arrested three adult males & two juvenile males related to the Feb 19th murder of Bashar Jackson, a New York based rapper known as Pop Smoke. We will provide further details as they become available.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) July 9, 2020
Originally from Brooklyn, Pop Smoke’s star began to rise with the release of his 2019 single “Welcome to the Party.”
The up-and-coming rapper was fatally shot during what appeared to be a home invasion robbery while he was renting a property in the Hollywood Hills. The Los Angeles Times reported shortly after the shooting that detectives believe the killing may have been gang-related.
The house where the shooting occurred was owned by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp. Police received the 911 call and arrived on the scene in six minutes when they discovered a victim with gunshot wounds. Pop Smoke was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Since February, the late rapper’s murder investigation has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a lack of credible witnesses.
Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon was just released last Friday, and was executive produced by 50 Cent.
