Pop Smoke has been shot and killed in what is now being reported as a targeted hit and not a home invasion robbery. TMZ says that surveillance footage shows that the incident wasn't a robbery at all, but a premeditated murder.
The 20-year-old rapper was murdered in his Hollywood Hills home yesterday at 04:30 AM. TMZ sources have reportedly seen the surveillance footage, which is said to show four masked men approached the home in the early morning and sneak around back. Minutes later three people are shown walking back to the front of the house, while the fourth reportedly entered through a backdoor. Multiple shots were fired inside before the man exited through the front door of the house.
Officials have yet to confirm these reports. In a press conference in Los Angeles yesterday, police spoke of a robbery. CNN reports that law enforcement received a call just before 05:00 AM about a home invasion. When they arrived on the scene officers found a man — purportedly Pop Smoke — who had been shot. The man was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead hours later.
No arrests have been made yet and the LAPD's homicide unit is investigating the incident. According to law enforcement, there was a gathering at the house before the armed perpetrators broke in, fired multiple shots, and fled on foot. Between two and six people broke into the home, one of them wearing a mask, according to witnesses.
The shooters' motives are currently unclear. According to Twitter speculation, the crime took place after Pop Smoke shared his address in his Instagram Stories last night, which supported the theory of a robbery. See below.
Following his sudden passing, Republic Records, Pop Smoke’s label, issued a statement. "We are devastated by the unexpected and tragic loss of Pop Smoke. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans, as we mourn this loss together," Republic Records posted to their Twitter.
Pop Smoke, or "the Woo," was an up-and-coming rapper at the beginning of a very promising career. He dropped his debut album Meet The Woo 2 just last week, which was already being lauded as one of the best hip-hop releases of the year. May he rest in peace.
Following the news of Smoke's passing, Nicki Minaj posted a cryptic post to Instagram. "The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest in Peace, Pop," she wrote.
We will keep you updated as the story develops.
