Eric Holder charged with murder of Nipsey Hussle and illegal firearms possession

The Los Angeles Country District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Eric Holder, the 29-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of rapper Nipsey Hussle, has been charged with murdering the 33-year-old rapper and wounding two others over the weekend.

Holder faces charges of one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of firearm possession by a felon. If convicted on these charges, he could face life in prison.

Police says the shooting occurred as a result of “a dispute between Mr Hussle and Mr Holder” and that the men “were known to each other.” Just before the shooting, Hussle had tweeted about having “strong enemies.”

According to KNX1070 reporter Claudia Peschiutta, Holder pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Chris Darden on Thursday and is being held in lieu of $5 million bail.

Holder allegedly approached Hussle outside the latter’s Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles and engaged in a conversation before the encounter turned violent, according to Moore, who said Holder left the conversation with Hussle before returning with a gun. Hussle and two other men were shot. Authorities said Holder was then seen fleeing the scene in a white Chevy Cruze driven by a woman who has not been charged.

Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon within an hour of police responding. The Los Angeles County coroner determined that he died of gunshot wounds to the head and torso.