[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he family of the late Nipsey Hussle on Monday confirmed a public memorial to honor the slain rapper and activist at Staples Center. The memorial is happening Thursday (April 11) starting at 10 am. Tickets to the event were free and limited to four per household, and to California residents only.
The tickets went live here starting at 10 am Tuesday morning (April 9) and were all gone within 45 minutes, according to a message from Live Nation. "All tickets for the Nipsey Hussle’s celebration of life have been distributed and no additional tickets will be available," the message said.
A "victory lap" is planned after the memorial from Staples Center down south on Vernon to Century Boulevard, and then west to Ladera Heights before passing by Nipsey's Marathon Clothing store on the way to the funeral home in Crenshaw.
Hussle's family confirmed the two-hour service on Monday afternoon via the late artist's Instagram account. The post had close to a million likes as of Monday evening. The Crenshaw native was beloved for investing in his community by establishing businesses that created jobs for locals and ex felons, and by being a leading voice of peace and unity despite being a gang member himself.
Hussle was shot and killed March 31 outside his South L.A. clothing store.
A subsequent manhunt for the man police say shot Hussle quickly lead to the arrest of Eric Holder in the city of Bellflower two days later. Last week, Holder entered a plea of "not guilty." His defense attorney is Chris Darden, who became a national figure as one of the lead prosecutors in the OJ Simpson murder trial.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said during a press conference announcing Holder's arrest that they did not believe the homicide to be gang related.
[UPDATED: APRIL 9]
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