The Los Angeles Police Department has opened an internal investigation into why a desk officer turned away a key witness in the Nipsey Hussle murder case.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Internal Affairs Group is looking into why an officer at the 77th Street station in Los Angeles turned away the woman who drove the getaway car after the fatal shooting of the rapper.
Hussle, whose birth name was Ermias Asghedom, was murdered outside of his Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was only 33.
LAPD’s chief spokesman Josh Rubenstein said the issue likely stemmed from a “miscommunication,” but is investigating to make sure all policies and procedures were followed.
The publication reported last month that the driver had been turned away after she’d gone to police to report that she had seen her car and license plate on the news.
According to grand jury testimony, the woman was unaware that she was in any way involved in the shooting. She reportedly told her mother, “Oh, my God. My car is on here and everything and I didn’t do anything. I didn’t know this boy was gonna do this.”
The woman, who told police she had met Holder back in February, testified that when she arrived at the police station to turn herself in, an officer turned her away.
“One of the police officers is like, ‘Well, don’t worry about it,’ you know. ‘Don’t listen to the news.’ My mom said, ‘Well, she needs to talk to somebody.’ But he said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ So we just left,” the unidentified woman recalled.
An LAPD officer corroborated the woman’s account when questioned by prosecutors, prompting an internal investigation.
Eric Holder, the suspect in the shooting, is currently on trial. Prosecutors believe Holder shot Hussle after the rapper accused him of snitching. Holder pleaded not guilty back in May.
Following Hussle’s death, thousands gathered for a memorial at the Staple Center to remember the rapper’s legacy.