Eric Holder: Man suspected of killing rapper Nipsey Hussle charged with murder

Prosecutors allege 29-year-old spoke to rapper before returning with gun and shooting him

Nipsey Hussle was a prominent campaigner against gun violence. ((Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Warner Music))

The prime suspect in the killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle has been charged with his murder.

Eric Holder is also facing two counts of attempted murder, after two other men were shot at the scene. The 29-year-old, who is set to appear in court, on Thursday, is yet to enter a plea.

Los Angeles County prosecutors allege that Holder and Hussle, who knew each other, had several conversations on Sunday outside the rapper’s clothing store.

They claim he then returned with a handgun and shot Hussle, who was later declared dead at a hospital, and wounded the two other men.

If convicted, Holder faces life in prison.

Hussle, 33, was engaged to actress Lauren London, with whom he had a two-year-old son. He had another daughter from a previous relationship.

The rapper had success in hip-hop’s inner circles for 10 years through his mixtapes, then released his first album with a major label last year. Victory Lap was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys in February.

The California State Senate adjourned in Hussle’s honour on Thursday.

“He was a manifestation, from my perspective, of the American dream, even the California dream,” said Senator Holly Mitchell, a Democrat from Los Angeles.

“He represents a new generation of entertainer turned activist turned entrepreneur,” she added, before noting the rapper’s activism on police brutality and gun violence.

Congresswoman Karen Bass said she planned to honour Hussle on the floor of the US House of Representatives.

“I will be heading to the House Floor next week to formally enter Nipsey Hussle's contributions to South Los Angeles into the Congressional Record where it will be a part of United States history forever,” Ms Bass tweeted.

Additional reporting by agencies