Crips gang member, Eric R. Holder Jr., 32, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for killing rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle. His sentence comes almost four years after the Grammy-nominated artist was murdered outside of his South Los Angeles clothing store, The Marathon.
The Death of Nipsey Hussle
On March 31, 2019, Holder Jr. shot and killed Hussle for saying he was gaining the reputation of being a “snitch,” according to Los Angeles authorities, witnesses, and prosecutors.
Earlier in the day Holder Jr. had met up with a new acquaintance for a bit to eat. He had met his new friend a month prior when he used a ride-hailing service, she was the driver. The woman also worked as a home health caregiver. She picked up Holder Jr. in her white Chevrolet Cruze and they drove to South Los Angeles.
Hussle had planned on revitalizing the neighborhood by turning the whole shopping center into a mixed-use residential and commercial area. His goal was to break the cycle of gang life in the neighborhood he grew up in. In his younger days, he sold his mix CDs from the trunk of his vehicle.
After purchasing the center he would spend nearly a half hour in the parking lot signing autographs, taking selfies with fans, and chatting with old friends. That was his normal routine roughly three to four times a week. Normally it would be after he dropped off either his toddler son or pre-teen daughter.
However, on that day he showed up unannounced at his store located at the intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson. Subsequently, he did not make it into the store.
Gang Member’s Friend Spots Hussle
At 3:04 p.m. the woman and Holder Jr. pull into the shopping plaza owned by Hussle at the behest of the gang member. There is no evidence pointing to him having ulterior motives other than looking for a place to eat. As the female parked she spotted Hussle.
She remembered saying something “like, ‘Ooh, there goes Nipsey Hussle, he look(s) fine.'” Adding she wanted to “take a picture.” At that time she did not know Hussle and Holder knew each other.
Holder Jr. walked into the burger restaurant in the plaza and ordered chili cheese fries and then waited outside. Hussle saw the gang member and asked a friend if that was an explicit name referring to Holder Jr.
Leading Up to the Shooting
Three minutes after the gang member and his lady friend arrived, 56-year-old Kerry Lathan and his nephew Shermi Villanueva arrived at the complex. Lathan had recently returned to society after a stint in prison. Hussle had sent him a care package when he was released a few months prior and Villanueva expressed his uncle was in need of clothes.
Hussle had sent many ex-convicts re-entering from his neighborhood care packages to give them a hand up. Having met Lathan before, Hussle was pleased to see him.
At 3:09 p.m., two minutes after Lathan and his nephew arrive, Holder Jr. and his companion walk up to Hussle. At this time Holder Jr. was shirtless showing off his huge “SIXTIES” gang sign across his abdomen.
The Accusation
Once the gang member approached Hussle, the rapper informed Holder Jr. that he had been dubbed a “snitch” on the streets. The rapper’s employee and friend, Herman Douglas, testified in front of the grand jury saying that Hussle was only trying to warn Holder Jr.
Furthermore, Douglas overheard Hussle tell Holder Jr. that the rumors had him talking to the police about the Rollin’ 60s gang. Hussle said there were court records and police documents stating this fact. “You need to address it,” the rapper said, according to Douglas. “You know, basically telling the guy you need to be careful, you know, because people got some paperwork on you.”
Holder Jr. responded by saying they were just “hating on” him. The conversation switched to the gang member asking if anyone had heard his new song. To which no one had. Afterward, Holder Jr.’s lady friend asked for a picture with Hussle and immediately posted it to social media.
The Murder
Then Holder Jr. walked back into the restaurant to pick up his order. Next, he and his companion walked back to her car and parked in an adjacent spot so he could eat. Holder Jr. ate a few bites of his fries before standing up, pulling out a 9 mm pistol, and loading it.
The woman had seen him with a weapon before but it was the first time she ever saw him loading one. Holder Jr. then got out of the vehicle, told her to wait there, and walked back to the shopping center.
He strolled up to Hussle telling him he was “through” before opening fire with a revolver and the pistol. Holder Jr. shot the rapper at least 10 times. One of the bullets struck Hussle in the head with another lodging into a lung. A witness heard Hussle say “You got me,” before tumbling to the ground.
Unsatisfied, Holder Jr. kicked the rapper in the head twice before fleeing the scene. His companion asked what was going on when he came back to the vehicle. He told her to “Drive, drive before I slap you,” she testified in court.
Holder Jr. will now spend 60 years behind bars for killing Hussle.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
AP News: How a chance reunion led to Nipsey Hussle’s death
KPBS: Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s killer is sentenced to 60 years to life in prison
Forbes: Nipsey Hussle’s Killer Eric R. Holder Jr. Sentenced To 60 Years In Prison
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Olli Homann‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Pascal‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
