Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, was shot multiple times, according to The Los Angeles Times. The 33-year-old’s death was confirmed by a city official.
News of his death, in a shooting that left two others wounded, prompted an outpouring of support from the Los Angeles community that he championed.
“Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy,” Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, said in a tweet. “L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence.”
Two other people were also wounded in the shooting, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, which did not immediately identify the victims. All three were shot in the parking lot outside The Marathon Clothing, a store that Nipsey Hussle opened in 2017.
At least one suspect fled from the scene in a car, Lt. Chris Ramirez, of the Los Angeles police, said Sunday. Police have not yet identified a motive for the shooting.
A Los Angeles fixture since the mid-2000s, Nipsey Hussle first drew widespread acclaim in hip-hop for his three-part mixtape series, “Bullets Ain’t Got No Name.” His stage name is a twist on comedian Nipsey Russell.
“Victory Lap,” his debut album, was nominated this year for best rap album at the Grammy Awards, losing to Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy.”
“My whole energy is just at a low right now hearing this,” rapper Drake, who collaborated with Nipsey Hussle, wrote on Instagram. “You were a real one to your people and to the rest of us. I’m only doing this here cause I want the world to know I saw you as a man of respect and a don. Rest easy my g.”
Nipsey Hussle was a strong advocate for the South Los Angeles community where he was born and raised.
He has spoken out against gun violence and had planned to meet Monday afternoon with officials from the Los Angeles Police Department to talk about preventing gang violence, according to Steve Soboroff, the Los Angeles police commissioner.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.