Nineteen wounded in stampede at Nipsey Hussle memorial

TRAGEDY

LOS ANGELES, US - At least six people were wounded when a stampede broke out at a memorial service on Monday for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle in Los Angeles, police officials said.

Hundreds had gathered in the southern part of the city outside Hussle's The Marathon Clothing store where the Grammy-nominated musician was gunned down on Sunday in a suspected gang-linked attack that wounded two other people.

A stampede was triggered just past 8:00 pm (0300 GMT Tuesday) during the service, but it was not clear what triggered it.

"Reports of shots fired at the vigil do not appear to be accurate. We do have injured in the chaos and are attempting to restore order," the Los Angeles Police Department said on Twitter.

Police force people to leave after a stampede broke out at a gathering of hundreds of people mourning the murder of Nipsey Hussle. (AFP Photo)

 
An LAPD spokesman told AFP some of the injured were "possibly stabbed," and a fire department official said two people were critically wounded. Both said it was unclear how the victims sustained the injuries.

Hussle had found minor commercial success, but he was revered among his peers. His "Victory Lap" scored a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album this year, and his shock death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from hip hop royalty.

In a separate statement posted on Twitter Monday, the LAPD identified the suspected shooter as 29-year-old Eric Holder, who is still at large.