LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) Hundreds of people at a Los Angeles vigil for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle fled the scene in droves after inaccurate reports of shots fired, with at least 10 people transported to hospitals including two patients in critical condition.
Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein said no shots were fired, according to the Los Angeles Times. The LAPD didn’t immediately know what caused the stampede.
“Our people are on scene making every effort 2 protect everyone in attendance at the Nipsey Hussle vigil,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said on Twitter. “Reports of shots fired at the vigil do not appear to be accurate. We do have injured in the chaos and are attempting to restore order.”
He added: “Our appreciation to those from our community actively working with members at the vigil to quell violence. Their work is vital.”
Police make a line as the crowd refuses to leave at the corner of Slauson Ave. at Crenshaw Blvd. after vigil for rapper Nipsey Hussle. pic.twitter.com/aKI4Tj6ACn
— Genaro Molina (@GenaroMolina47) April 2, 2019
Reporters in the area said on social mediat that authorities said at least six people were stabbed, which may have caused the chaos, the Times said. One of the paper’s own reporters was trampled when the crowd ran.
Musician DeAndre Harvey, who attended the vigil, said it was a peaceful event with people passing around a megaphone, sharing stories about Hussle, when a fight broke out, causing liquor bottles and candles to break and likely causing the reports of gunfire, according to the Times.
“I don’t know who was fighting,” Harvey said. “I didn’t actually see the punches, but you just saw arms rolling and glass breaking and everybody running.”
We are staying in our truck for now. Police are everywhere. The helicopter was just saying over loudspeaker telling everyone to leave the area. Lot of people staying though. pic.twitter.com/dynhTcaI8a
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) April 2, 2019
