LOS ANGELES—Eric Holder, 29, pleaded not guilty on four counts in the fatal shooting of rapper Ermias Asghedom aka as Nipsey Hussle, 33, on March 31 during his court appearance on Thursday, April 4.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teresa T. Sullivan charged Holder, on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a firearm felon with a bail set at $5 million.
Holder, an alleged gang member open fire multiple times around 3:25 p.m. on Sunday outside a strip mall on West Slauson Boulevard in Hyde Park, fatally shooting Hussle and wounding two others in front of Marathon Clothing store. The establishment is owned by Hussle.
The Grammy nominated rapper was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead from gunshot wounds he sustained at approximately 3:55 p.m. One man was hospitalized, the other was treated at the scene and refused to be transported to a local hospital.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Coroner’s Office autopsy report confirmed Hussle died from a bullet to his head and torso on Monday, April 1. The manner of death was certified as a homicide.
Holder fled the scene of the shooting in a 2016 Chevrolet Cruz, which was used as a getaway car with an unidentified female who turned herself into authorities on Monday, April 1, claiming she didn’t know Holder planned to kill Hussle.
Holder was captured in the Bellflower area on Tuesday, April 2 by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Officers from the LAPD arrested Holder around 1:30 p.m., in the 9900 block of Artesia Boulevard.
Community activist Najee Ali demanded the unidentified female driver be arrested immediately during a press conference on Monday, April 1.
“Holder’s female accomplice waited two days to turn herself in to police. That was too days too many,” said Ali.
Holder, an aspiring rapper by the name moniker Fly Mac has ties to the Rollin 60s Crips. He is represented by attorney Chris Darden, one of the prosecutors who was in the case against O.J Simpson, was acquitted on murder charges of his ex-wife Nicole Brown.
Los Angeles Police Department Police Chief Michel Moore told reporters on Tuesday, April 2 during a press conference that Holder visited the location several times before retuning to commit the fatal shooting.
“Mr. Holder, walked up on multiple occasions and engaged in conversation with Nipsey and others that were there. He left and subsequently returned armed with a handgun, and intentionally fired, striking and killing Nipsey,” said Moore.
In 2012, Holder was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation after carrying a loaded firearm, according to court records. He is scheduled to reappear in court on May 10.
