Rapper Half Ounce fatally shot in Koreatown was father of 3 children with another on the way: Family

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Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Local rapper Half Ounce fatally shot in Koreatown, family says
A local rapper known as Half Ounce was fatally shot in Koreatown. He was a father of three children with another on the way, family members told Eyewitness News.

KOREATOWN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man who was killed in a shooting in Koreatown was a rapper, known as Half Ounce, and a father of three children with another on the way, family members told Eyewitness News.

The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 700 block South New Hampshire Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers responded to numerous calls of shots fired and found the victim lying in a planter at a nearby apartment building.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Further details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting were not immediately disclosed.

The victim, officially identified as Latauriisha O'Brien, was a local rapper who also worked for UPS.

Rapper Half Ounce was a father to three children, between the ages of 8 years and 9 months, and his wife was expecting another, family members told Eyewitness News.

"He was an artist around here. He was popular. He was coming up still... but it's such a sad story to hear," said Steven Gonzalez.

O'Brien was from Inglewood and did not live in Koreatown. Investigators are trying to determine what he may have been doing in the area.

No arrests have been made. The shooter, described as man wearing dark clothing, fled the scene in a possible dark SUV.

Anybody with information is urged to contact authorities at (213) 382-9470.