An Inglewood rapper was fatally shot and killed late Monday in Koreatown while talking to his pregnant wife.
An investigation is underway after rapper Half Ounce was shot multiple times by someone inside a dark SUV in the 700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue in Koreatown late Monday evening.
The victim, who had recently released an album in May called “Gang Bin,” is the third rapper to be gunned down in Los Angeles over the last month. The first victim, rapper PnB Rock, whose real name was Rakim Allen, was shot and killed on 12 September at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles, where he was having lunch when a botched robbery for the 30-year-old’s jewelry happened.
The second victim, the 23-year-old Kee Riches, whose real name was Kian Nellum, was fatally shot in Compton along with 29-year-old Robert Leflore Jr.
The shootings appear unrelated, but Los Angeles Police Department officials claim there has recently been an increase in follow-home robberies, especially those targeting celebrities. Authorities Tuesday sought the public’s help to find the killer of Latauriisha O’Brien, Half Ounce’s real name.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the shooting occurred on Monday at around 11:30 p.m in the 700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers found the victim lying in front of an apartment complex with multiple gunshot wounds.
“Olympic Area patrol officers responded to numerous radio calls of shots fired, with a man screaming, in the 700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a victim in front of an apartment building, unresponsive, with gunshot wounds.” According to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The rapper’s wife, who is pregnant with their fourth child, reportedly told the TV station that she was on the phone with Half Ounce when she heard shots being fired, and she then drove to the scene.
According to Fox11, Half Ounce was also walking with a friend who reportedly ran away when the attack occurred.
The motive of Monday’s shooting remains unclear. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call LAPD detectives at (213) 382-9470.