UPDATE 2/20/20 7:25 A.M. PST: According to TMZ, surveillance footage from outside the Hollywood Hills home where Pop Smoke was staying seems to purport his killing was a targeted hit rather than part of a home invasion robbery.
The outlet claims those who have seen the clips share four men came to the house at around 4:30 a.m. before sneaking around the back. Only a couple minutes later, three of the men walk back to the front of the house. It’s said the fourth walked in the backdoor, but there was no camera angled to catch it, and then he walks out the front door of the house later.
That same man isn’t seen carrying anything out of the house, which most likely wouldn’t be the case if it were a robbery.
So tragic.
Pop Smoke, an up and coming rapper, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning in what appears to have been a home invasion robbery.
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According to TMZ reports, the 20-year-old was in the Hollywood Hills around 4:30 a.m. when two men wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts broke into the house. Law enforcement sources told the outlet the pair fired multiple shots, striking and critically wounding the musician. The men fled on foot from the scene.
The Brooklyn native was rushed via ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, where he was pronounced dead. As of this writing, the suspects have not been caught or identified, and their motive is unclear.
It is unclear if Pop, real name Bashar Barakah Jackson, knew the shooters. One man was placed in handcuffs at the scene, but police officers determined he was not a suspect and released him.
Prior to the shooting, law enforcement insiders have shared with the outlet there was a gathering or party at the house, which is owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp and her husband Edwin Arroyave, CEO of Skyline Security, who own several others in the Los Angeles area. It is possible the young star was renting it from them.
The artist was best known for his song Welcome To The Party, the lead single off of his debut mixtape Meet the Woo, which was released in July 2019. Nicki Minaj later remixed the song, and penned a note of her condolences on Instagram along with a photo of him:
“The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Pop.”
Based on her wording, she could be insinuating a connection between the killers and Pop Smoke, though it is unclear at this time if that is the case.
Chance The Rapper also wrote a message on Twitter about the rising star’s untimely passing:
“Rest Up Pop Smoke, you were too young. God Bless and comfort your family. What a crazy trajectory you were on man smh”
Tana Mongeau also tweeted out her condolences:
“damn pop smoke rip :/“
He was just getting started with his career and clearly had a lot of talent. His second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, was released less than two weeks ago. Our love goes out to Bashar’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
[Image via Pop Smoke/Instagram.]
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