Los Angeles police announced Tuesday the prime suspect in the slaying of rapper Nipsey Hussle is now behind bars.
Eric Holder, 29, was apprehended by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies “sometime before 1:30 p.m. in the 9900 block of Artesia Boulevard” of Bellflower, Calif., the LAPD confirmed.
Authorities located Holder after receiving a tip about a possible sighting in the area. Sheriff’s deputies responded and held the suspect at the scene until LAPD homicide detectives arrived. He was later transported to a Los Angeles Police Department facility.
The LAPD took to Twitter to thank the public and the sheriff’s department for their help, stating: “Eric Holder, the suspected killer of Nipsey Hussle, has been arrested and is in police custody. Thank you to both our community for the heightened awareness/vigilance, and our partners at @LASDHQ.”
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Eric Holder, the suspected killer of Nipsey Hussle, has been arrested and is in police custody. Thank you to both our community for the heightened awareness/vigilance, and our partners at @LASDHQ. https://t.co/0zujy89Yfm
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 2, 2019
Holder was first identified as a suspect Monday night.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Hussle — real name Ermias Asghedom — was familiar with Holder, adding that the two were involved in a personal dispute prior to the slaying. Although the suspect reportedly has gang ties, Moore said Hussle’s death wasn’t gang-related.
“Mr. Holder walked up on multiple occasions and engaged in a conversation with Nipsey and the others that were there,” Moore said about the events leading up to the rapper and activist’s murder. “He left and then came back, and subsequently came back armed with a handgun and purposely and repeatedly fired, striking and killing Nipsey Hussle.”
Hussle, 33, was shot multiple times on Sunday afternoon outside his clothing store in the 3400 block of West Slauson Ave. He died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso, the coroner’s office has said.
Political leaders and celebrities alike have called for peace after Nipsey Hussle’s death. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas advised that “justice must be sought through legal means,” while Moore said his team will “work aggressively” with the “community to quell this senseless loss of life.”
Despite calls for calm, chaos erupted Monday night at a vigil honoring Hussle. Moore said the situation at the memorial got out of control when a man pulled out a handgun and someone tried to disarm him. People in the crowd saw the weapon and ran for cover, touching off a stampede that left 19 injured.
Hussle leaves behind his girlfriend, actress Lauren London, and two children.
London took to Instagram Tuesday to remember Hussle, writing:
“I am completely lost.
I’ve lost my best friend
My sanctuary
My protector
My soul….
I’m lost without you
We are lost without you babe
I have no words.”
