Rapper Pop Smoke shot, killed in Hollywood Hills home: Sources

Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Rapper Pop Smoke, an up-and-coming artist born in Brooklyn, New York, was shot and killed Wednesday in a Hollywood Hills, California, home, multiple law enforcement officials confirmed to ABC News.

Multiple suspects broke into the home with at least one wearing a black mask, sources said. The suspects then shot the victim, who was transported to a local hospital where he died, according to the sources.

Officials have not yet said whether it was a targeted or random attack. However, sources told ABC News that detectives are investigating whether the killing was connected to the rapper’s recent arrest by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, after he allegedly stole a 2019 Rolls-Royce he had borrowed for a music video in California.

A 911 call of the Wednesday morning incident came in around 4:30 a.m. in the 2000 block of Hercules Drive.

Captain Steve Lurie of the Los Angeles Police Department said at a press conference the 911 call came from someone on the East Coast, who was a friend of someone inside the residence and had been contacted by that friend in the home.

He said it was not immediately clear how many suspects entered the home, but preliminary information indicates it was between two and six.

Lurie said the LAPD was not identifying the victim yet.

No arrests were made at the home, according to Lurie. He said multiple people were detained inside the residence, but then released.

LAPD Operations-West Bureau was at the scene of the crime and is investigating.

Pop Smoke’s rise to fame came last summer with the hit song “Welcome to the Party.” Nicki Minaj collaborated with the rapper on the official remix, which was released in August. At its peak, it reached No. 9 on the Billboard chart for top rap songs.

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