Recently released court documents revealed what prosecutors believe is the motive behind Nipsey Hussle’s alleged murder.
The rapper, whose birth name was Ermias Ashgedom, was shot at least ten times, a medical examiner said, on March 31 outside of his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles.
In unsealed grand jury transcripts, prosecutors revealed that witnesses heard the rapper accuse alleged shooter Eric Holder, Jr., of snitching, NBC News reports.
“Nipsey was like, ‘Man, you know, they got some paperwork on you, you know. I haven’t read it, you know. Like you my bro, you know,’ ” a witness told the grand jury back in May. “ ‘Like maybe you need to take care of that, you know.’ ”
Another witness to the fatal killing revealed that Holder was upset by the conversation, telling Hussle: “You’re through.”
Holder, 29, whom police believe was a gang member, was indicted back in May on one count of murder, two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm and one count of possessions of a firearm by a felon.
He has pleaded not guilty. If he’s convicted, Holder faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Since his murder, Hussle has left a huge hole in the lives of those in Los Angeles and the world beyond. Last Sunday, BET even turned its carpet blue to honor the rapper, who received the humanitarian award.
Hussle was well-known in his community for providing and participating in educational and financial empowerment programs. He often spoke openly about the need for togetherness in the Black community and employed Black people at his clothing store.
In fact, he told ESSENCE back in February on the red carpet for the Grammy Awards that his dream was “for our people to step into their greatness collectively.”