Nipsey Hussle’s Killer Sentenced to 60 Years Behind Bars

On February 22, a court hearing sentenced Eric Ronald Holder Jr. to 60 years to life behind bars for shooting and killing rapper Nipsey Hussle in 2019.

Holder received 25 years for shooting the music artist and 25 years for firearm enhancements. 

He also got 10 years for two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter after injuring two other men during the incident. 

The final moments of Nipsey Hussle

Killer of US rapper Nipsey Hussle sentenced to 60 years in prison over 2019 shooting https://t.co/FGWy2feAaJ

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 22, 2023

Nipsey Hussle arrived at his clothing store, The Marathon, at 2:51 PM. It was at a shopping center where he and Eric Holder grew up. 

Little did he know that their final reunion would be fatal. It turns out that Holder was riding a cab passing by the building. 

At 3:09 PM, Hussle told Holder rumors say he has been “snitching” by talking to authorities about the Rollin’ 60s gang.

Holder replied that the people talking behind his back were “hating on me.” Despite the mood of the conversation, witnesses say nobody seemed agitated or angry.

At 3:19 PM, a witness said Holder walked to Hussle and said, “You’re through.” Then, he opened fire with a revolver and a pistol, shooting Hussle roughly 10 times.

The LA County coroner said a bullet hit Nipsey Hussle in the head, another in a lung, and one severed his spine.

“You got me,” a witness hears the rapper say as he falls. Holder kicks the rapper twice in the head and runs away.

Kerry Lathan and his nephew Shermi Villanueva also got shot, but neither sustained critical injuries. 

At 3:22 PM, Hussle’s brother, Samiel Asghedom, arrives. Hussle was still breathing, so his brother gave him CPR following a 911 operator’s instructions.

An ambulance arrives and takes Hussle away. At 3:55 PM, a hospital declares Nipsey Hussle dead. 

The life of Nipsey Hussle

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Nipsey Hussle, a.k.a. Ermias Asghedom, was a former gang member who strived for a better life. He wanted to remake his neighborhood by purchasing the nearby shopping center.

It was where he sold his mixtapes from the trunk of his car. He planned to turn it into a mixed-use commercial and residential center and placed his clothing store inside.

It was his way of investing in his community. Before his demise, Nipsey Hussle met with the Los Angeles Police Department to discuss ways to help prevent gang violence.

The rapper released the Grammy-nominated record “Victory Lap” in 2018, earning him a double-platinum plaque.

Hussle won two posthumous Grammy awards for best rap/song collaboration and performance in 2020. That year’s Grammy Awards had a tribute for him alongside basketball icon Kobe Bryant. 

He also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Moreover, he had two children with actress Lauren London. 

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón praised Hussle after Eric Holder’s conviction in July:

“Nipsey Hussle was a beloved member of our community. His legacy will continue to inspire our work,” Gascón added. 

Former President Barack Obama also sent a letter read during the April 2019 memorial service at Staples Center:

“While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and saw only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential.”

“He saw hope. Haw saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going.”