A trial date was set Wednesday for the man charged with killing rapper Nipsey Hussle outside his South Los Angeles clothing store in 2019.
Eric Holder Jr., 30, will return to court on Jan. 5, 2022, to face charges of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon alongside two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm.
Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, died in March 2019 at age 33 after being shot at least 10 times outside his Marathon Clothing storefront in Hyde Park. The Crenshaw native left behind two children, and a partner, actress Lauren London, mother to one.
Holder was indicted in May 2019 for the killing. Prosecutors told the grand jury that Holder used two guns to fire multiple shots at Asghedom shortly after an altercation with the rapper in which accusations of "snitching" were made.
"Apparently the conversation had something to do with Mr. Asghedom telling Mr. Holder that word on the street was that Mr. Holder was snitching," a deputy D.A. said, "in the gang world, a very serious offense."
It has been alleged that Holder had certain gang affiliations. Asghedom has spoken publicly about his own former gang affiliations, and was active prior to his death in community development projects aimed at preventing gang violence in South L.A.
Following the alleged altercation between the two, Holder reportedly left the scene for a brief time, then returned to open fire on Asghedom and two other bystanders.
According to a county medical examiner, Asghedom suffered 11 gunshot wounds, though some may have been made by the same bullet. The two other men, named as victims in the attempted murder and assault with a firearm charges against Holder, were also injured in the attack.
Asghedom's death triggered an outpouring grief among Angelenos. The rapper was lauded for speaking out publicly against gang violence through his music and community work.
Though previously affiliated with the Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips gang, Asghedom performed and worked with members of the rival Bloods to set an example against gang divisions and violence.
Holder, who prosecutors have described as an aspiring rapper himself, was arrested by L.A. County sheriff's deputies in April 2019. He has remained in custody since then.
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