Nipsey Hussle's Legacy Opening Disrupted By Fatal Shooting

The highly anticipated launch of Nipsey Hussle's fast food venture was overshadowed by violence.

The late Hip-Hop icon was set to have his legacy immortalized in Long Beach with the opening of Marathon Burger, a business venture launched by his estate.

Unfortunately, the big day was ruined by the same type of violence that ended Nipsey Hussle's blooming career in 2019.

According to new reports, Hussle's estate had launched Marathon Burger in Long Beach to honor the late rapper's memory. The highly anticipated event saw crowds of fans gathering near Third Street and Pine Avenue for the opening, which saw rapper Snoop Dogg cutting the ribbon.

The New York Post noted that Snoop Dogg was also seen flipping burgers to kick off the fast food joint, which was opened in partnership with his Broadus family. Everyone seemed to be having a great time until violence struck around 3:32 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.

Gunfire erupted amongst the crowds, with the Long Beach Police Department confirming that the shooting generated multiple victims, including one fatality. The shooter, their motive, and the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.

The shooting at the opening of Hussle's burger joint brings to mind the painful memories of his tragic passing. At the time, the "Racks in the Middle" rapper died at the age of 33 on March 31, 2019, following multiple gunshot wounds.

PEOPLE reported that Hussle's autopsy report specified that he died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso. He was shot at least ten times and suffered significant blood loss, with over a liter of blood found pooled in his chest, per L.A. County Medical Examiner Lawrence Nguyen.

The incident occurred after 3 p.m. outside Hussle's Marathon Clothing store located in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South L.A. Coincidentally, the entertainer died in the same area where he was born and raised. He often visited the store and had spent half an hour signing autographs for fans before the shooting.

Hussle's killer was a man named Eric R. Holder, someone he grew up with in the Crenshaw neighborhood. The pair were allegedly affiliated with the same gang, the Rollin' 60s, when they were young. On the day of the shooting, Holder spotted Hussle outside his clothing store.

The shooter had been ordering food with his girlfriend, Bryannita Nicholson, when they noticed Hussle. Holder then approached Hussle to reportedly discuss the rumors circulating that he had cooperated with law enforcement in the clothing store's parking lot.

Eyewitnesses noted that Holder left the scene but later returned with a revolver and a semiautomatic handgun. He opened fire, pumping multiple bullets into Hussle's body and striking two other men. After the shooting, Holder kicked Hussle's head before escaping with his girlfriend.

Days after Hussle's shooting, his loved ones broke their silence in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. The rapper's mother, Angelique Smith, said that she would like her son to be remembered "as a humble, spirited, respectful man."

Hussle's father, Dawit Asghedom, noted that he saw his son's tragic passing as a sign of God's work. He believed the entertainer died after completing the role the Almighty had ordained him to carry out on earth. "[God] sent him to send a message," the patriarch claimed.

Hussle's brother Samiel Asghedom raved about his impact on their community, applauding the rapper for making Crenshaw "a landmark" with his activism. Meanwhile, Hussle's longtime girlfriend, Lauren London, commended him for always putting family first.

Hussle was the father of two children during his life, a son and a daughter. He welcomed his son, Kross, with his girlfriend, London, and a daughter named Emani with his ex, Tanisha Foster.

The Blast reported that his daughter made waves in 2025 over her share of her father's estate. The drama began after Foster's lawyer, Larry Lewellyn, pushed to have his attorney fees paid by Emani's share of the Hussle estate.

However, Emani's court-appointed lawyer, William Spiller, argued that the request was neither fair nor equitable. Lewellyn began representing Tanisha after she filed to reclaim her status as Emani's guardian.

Hussle's mother, sister, and brother were the girl's co-guardians until her mother won her motion for joint physical and legal custody. On that note, Hussle's mother and sister stepped down from the role, leaving his brother to co-parent with Tanisha.