Deadly Shooting Mars Opening of Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger Restaurant
A tragic shooting unfolded near the grand opening of Marathon Burger in Long Beach, California, on Sunday afternoon, leaving one person dead and at least two others injured. The fast-food restaurant is part of the legacy of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was killed in 2019, and its launch drew a crowd of celebrities and fans.
Chaos Erupts Amid Celebratory Event
Gunshots were heard around 3:30 pm, half a block away from the busy opening event at Marathon Burger. Witnesses described scenes of panic as diners fled the area. Eric VanDyke, a relative of Hussle, told ABC 7 that he saw a mass of people running in different directions, with someone shouting about gunfire.
Another witness, Tyerae Bailey, recounted to KTLA that approximately 50 to 60 people were waiting in line when the shooting occurred. "It was literally chaos for like 10 or 15 seconds. I ducked behind one of the little boards you take photos at over there," he said. "I only heard one gunshot. That’s actually what made me really lock in and take cover."
Victims and Police Response
According to KTLA, three adult men in their twenties were rushed to the hospital by medical personnel from the Long Beach Fire Department. One of the men was in critical condition at the scene and later died at the hospital. The Long Beach Police Department confirmed that the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made.
However, KTLA reported that a man and a woman were seen being handcuffed and placed in separate police cruisers at the scene, though their identities have not been disclosed.
Restaurant and Community Reaction
A spokesperson for Marathon Burger told CBS News that the shooting was not connected to the restaurant's opening, emphasizing that the event itself proceeded safely. "The opening was a huge success with strong community support," the spokesperson said. "There was an incident nearby, but it was not connected to the event. The opening itself proceeded safely and without issue."
On social media, Marathon Burger posted video footage of the opening, with a caption stating, "Don’t let the media fool you, it was a beautiful energy in the atmosphere today. It was so packed and powerful someone had to hate on it." The video featured hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, who told diners he hoped the opening would set an example for youth.
Context: Nipsey Hussle's Legacy
The shooting occurred just one day after a ceremony renaming the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue as Nipsey Hussle Square, near the original location of The Marathon clothing store. Hussle, who was killed outside one of his stores in 2019 at age 33, had his murderer, Eric Ronald Holder Jr, sentenced to 60 years in prison in 2023.
VanDyke expressed disappointment, noting that Hussle and his brother, Blacc Sam, would have wanted the burger restaurant opening to be a happy occasion. "It was disappointing because I know that Nip, Blacc Sam wanted this to be a happy occasion, so it's unfortunate that something happened that would bring more attention to the negative elements as opposed to the positive elements," he told ABC 7.
The event was attended by celebrities including Stevie Wonder and Snoop Dogg, who reportedly left before the gunfire. The Independent has reached out to the Long Beach Police Department and The Marathon for further comment.
