Crowd Stampedes During Nipsey Hussle Memorial Leaving Multiple People Injured
Mourners gathered in Los Angeles to remember and honor the slain rapper Nipsey Hussle, however, the memorial descended into chaos when a stampede broke out and multiple people were injured.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in front of The Marathon Clothing in South Los Angeles on Monday night to pay their respects to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle. However, police revealed that more than a dozen people were injured after a stampede broke out.
Large crowds of mourners had gathered off and on since the Grammy-nominated rapper and community activist was shot and killed Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, peaceful vigil turned chaotic around 8:10 p.m. on Monday night near the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue.
At least two people were critically injured and taken to an area hospital. One of the injured was struck by a vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The LAFD also revealed that as many as 15 people sustained non-life threatening injuries.
“The majority of injuries were related to ‘trample injuries’ sustained when the crowd rushed out,” fire officials said in a statement.
Some witnesses reportedly revealed to KCAL9’s Rachel Kim that a fight between two groups broke out. However, it is unclear if the fight caused the stampede and police revealed there were no gunshot victims at the location despite earlier reports of a shooting.
Before the panic erupted, fans brought candles, flowers, posters, and items of clothing to pay their respects to the 33-year-old rapper. Several people became rowdy, throwing candles and other items at police while officers attempted to clear the area following the disturbance.
Some of the crowd gathered again just hours after the stampede. Police have issued a modified tactical alert following the stampede.
Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was fatally shot around 3:20 p.m. on Sunday in the 3400 blocks of West Slauson Avenue. Two other men were also wounded in the shooting.
An autopsy showed that Asghedom was shot in the head and torso. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner ruled the death a homicide and the police released a picture of the alleged suspect on Twitter.