UPDATED AT 8PM WITH DETAILS ON SHOOTING: Los Angeles police are reporting one person was killed and three others sustained injuries during a shooting incident at todays funeral procession for slain rapper/entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle.
The long-procession, which took place after the late rappers Staples Center memorial service, saw the streets lined with people paying respects. The shooting occurred around 6:25 p.m. in the area of 103rd and Main streets, the LAPD said in a press release.
The victims were three men and one woman, all between ages 30-50, LAPD Chief Michel Moore added on Twitter. No information was available on which victim died. Police are searching for suspects who fled in a gray Hyundai.
In the midst of this procession we have a multi-4 Shooting at 103 St and Main St.
Victims are 3 Male Blacks and 1 Female Black – ages from 30-50 years old. Tragically one is deceased.
Suspects in gray Hyundai fired on the victims.
We must stop this senseless violence.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) April 12, 2019
EARLIER: With music and personal stories, Nipsey Hussles friends and family said goodbye to the slain rapper Thursday during a three-hour memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The arena, which seats 21,000, was filled with celebrities and fans, who were issued free tickets to the service during an online giveaway.
As the memorial got underway, the crowd listened to one speaker after another drive home the message about Hussles impact on the South Los Angeles community where he grew up.
“Ive never met Nipsey, but Ive heard his music through my daughters, and after his passing, I had the chance to learn more about his transformation and his community work,” President Barack Obama said in a letter read by blogger and media figure Karen Civil.
“While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and only see gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential,” the letter continued. “He saw hope. He saw a community that even through its flaws taught him to always keep going. He chose to invest in that community rather than to ignore it. He set an example for young people to follow and is a legacy worthy of celebration.”
Among those in the audience were Lena Waithe, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Usher, rappers Master P and Big Sean and several NBA stars.
Adding to the emotion of the event, a montage of photos from the slain rappers life was shown on-screen while Frank Sinatras “My Way” played in the background.
Hussles girlfriend, actress Lauren London, with whom he has a child, wore sunglasses onstage as she told the audience: “Ive never felt this type of pain before.”
Snoop Dogg spoke as well and shared stories about his friendship with Hussle.
“This is a tough one right here,” Snoop said as he tried to maintain his composure. He then thanked Hussles parents and told the rappers father, “You picked up another son in me.”
Hussles hearse leaves the Staples Center. (Credit: Shutterstock)
Among those performing were R&B singers Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton and Jhené Aiko. Stevie Wonder was the last performer to take the stage, and recalled meeting Hussle.
“We had a good conversation,” Wonder said, before launching into his song “Rocket Love,” which was said to be one of Hussles favorites.
Wonder called for increased gun control, saying, “Its almost like the world is becoming blind.”
The singer added: “It is a heartbreak because it is so unnecessary. It is so painful to know that we dont have enough people taking a position that says, Listen we must have stronger gun laws.”
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