Multiple people were injured after a chaotic rush occurred as well as a stabbing incident within the largely peaceful all-day memorial for artist Nipsey Hussle on Monday night. The stabbing led throngs to disperse in panic, leaving some mourners trampled.
An estimated 19 people were injured. Here is video of the moment people rushed to flee the scene in confusion:
LAPD sure did rush to make their premature PR propaganda push. They could have controlled what was a CRIME SCENE, and managed this so it was respectful AND safe for the people who wanted to pay respect. They never learn from their MISTAKES. #nocontrol #florenceandnormandie pic.twitter.com/DZoou7qFZr
— Venice 311 (@Venice311) April 2, 2019
Before the incident, it had been a calm day at the scene where Hussle was shot. Candles and flowers, as well as balloons and other ornaments adorned the concrete where the brazen daylight attack took place on March 31. Hussle died just before 4pm at a downtown hospital. People stood around and smoked cannabis as police and network media looked on from a distance.
On Monday afternoon, mourners and local residents were leaving tagged messages on a wall facing the shopping strip where Nipsey Hussle founded his clothing company as well as a barbershop and fish shack. “You got kids out here, different races — ain’t just black people — you got from old people to young people,” said Stan James, 29, from North Long Beach. “He really built generation wealth, he really a teacher for us.”
James said he knew Hussle for years, and was working with him on building a publishing company, as James is a writer of urban fiction. He wore all blue, as did many others in the throngs of people gathered. “No matter what part of the world, everyone going to pay respect,” James added.
As LAPD attempted to regain control of the scene, confrontations occurred with officers along lines set up at a perimeter. LAPD chief Mike Moore tweeted that 12 people treated for injuries on the scene. Veteran L.A. crime reporter Andrew Blankstein said 8 people were transported to local hospitals.
“The city is on tactical alert status,” LAPD dispatchers said at 9:56 pm. Here’s another video of people fleeing in a panic from the scene:
A HUGE stampede of people rushed out of the @NipseyHussle memorial area. People thought they heard something break or a loud noise and started running. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/rVp84eNCYi
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) April 2, 2019
A live-stream feed showed police with batons and helmets lined up against Crenshaw Boulevard and forcibly moving crowds of mourners and residents who had gathered to hold vigil for Hussle, who was shot outside a corner of Slauson and Crenshaw where the rapper carved a nucleus of businesses and social initiatives.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” people yelled as police officers began pressing the crowds back with their batons. “Leave the area,” LAPD officers are heard saying. Watch:
LAPD called a tactical alert in the South Bureau and then expanded the alert to the entire city. A confrontation or brawl happened within the throngs of people who gathered since last night after word of the Crenshaw native’s passing spread through the area. The instant people reacted, a panic spread through the crowd and people took off running.
Since Sunday night, police-watch activists and reform advocates noted that LAPD was patrolling the South L.A. in what they called an excessive fashion. Noted police-reform advocate in Los Angeles and Black Lives Matter co-founder Melina Abdullah said police officers were overreaching since Sunday night.
Second night of excessive patrolling in the community. We don’t need this right now. Or ever, frankly.
— Jackie Cornejo (@JackieCornejoG) April 2, 2019
The chaotic scenes on Monday belied a largely peaceful day as mourners of every sort from the South L.A. community came out to pay tribute to Nipsey, who died at 33. By nightfall, local residents were seen cleaning up debris left outside the Marathon Clothing store and lot.
Members of the community are already starting to clean the mess up on their own. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/E6fCZp8Z8P
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) April 2, 2019
Read the L.A. Taco obituary here.
* Check back for updates.
RELATED: L.A. Already Loved Nipsey Hussle ~ Tributes Pour In as South Los Angeles Loses One of its Champions
The post Melee and Rush Leaves 19 Injured at Nipsey Hussle Memorial ~ Residents Cleaning Up After Citywide Tactical Alert appeared first on L.A. TACO.