The murder of rapper Pop Smoke was a targeted hit and not a botched robbery, it has been claimed
Sources who’ve seen CCTV footage said four men can be seen approaching the Hollywood Hills home where Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakh Johnson, 20, was killed on Wednesday morning.
They told TMZ the individual presumed to be the shooter leaves the property with nothing in his hands, suggesting the incident was not based on robbery.
TMZ, who first reported the incident, said surveillance video shows at least four masked men entering the home just 10 minutes after people inside deadbolted the front doors shut.
Pop Smoke shared a video on social media, showing high-value items and the exact address of the home, fuelling fears that the attack had been a robbery-gone-wrong.
Pop Smoke’s label, Republic Records, confirmed his death on social media. The 20-year-old is seen performing at an event to promote his new album in New York City on February 6
Authorities say between two and six suspects wearing ski masks forced their way into the home on Hercules Drive and opened fire on Pop Smoke. Medics are seen carting the victim to an ambulance that transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead
Rapper Pop Smoke was shot and killed after several masked men broke into a home in Hollywood Hills early Wednesday morning
Pop Smoke shared three photos of himself outside the home on Instagram the day before he was killed, showing off expensive goods.
In two of the photos the tracksuit-clad rapper is seen posing with Louis Vuitton luggage next to the same white Range Rover that was parked in the driveway when medics arrived.
In the third photo, Pop Smoke is sitting in the driver’s seat of the SUV next to his friend Mike Dee, who is holding a massive stack of cash.
The caption read: ‘GET STRAIGHT PASSION – ZIP HIM UP BAG EM – LOUIS V LOUIS V LOUIS V.’
In the third photo, Pop Smoke is sitting in the driver’s seat of the SUV next to his friend Mike Dee, who is holding a massive stack of cash
The $2.5million property is owned by actor and producer Edwin Arroyave and his wife Teddi Mellencamp, daughter of musician John Mellencamp.
Arroyave owns several homes in the Los Angeles area, and sources say Pop Smoke was renting the Hercules Drive through AirBnB.
Teddi Mellencamp, 38, confirmed that a shooting had taken place at one of the couple’s rental properties in an Instagram post.
Hours before he was killed Pop Smoke shared three photos of himself outside the home on Instagram. In two of the photos (above) the rapper is seen posing with Louis Vuitton luggage next to the same white Range Rover that was parked in the driveway when medics arrived
Pop Smoke shared a video on his Facebook Story hours before the shooting which featured the exact address of the home where it took place
LAPD officials say they are still searching for the assailants, who fled the scene on foot
‘Foremost, we would like to extend our prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss of life,’ she wrote in the caption.
‘We aren’t aware of any of the details beyond what we’ve been told or seen reported on the news and at this time we would like to refrain from commenting further as we wish for the focus to remain on the law enforcement officers who are diligently doing their jobs.’
Los Angeles Police Department officials said between two and six suspects wearing ski masks forced their way into the home and opened fire, striking a male victim before they fled on foot.
Multiple law enforcement sources identified the victim as Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson.
The apparent home invasion unfolded at about 4.30am at 2033 Hercules Drive (pictured). Pop Smoke was reportedly renting from Real Housewives star Teddi Mellencamp and her husband
First responders with the Los Angeles Fire Department were filmed rolling Pop Smoke out of the home on Hercules Drive on a stretcher.
He was transported by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, where he was pronounced dead.
One man was taken into custody immediately after the shooting but he was released after police determined he was not involved.
At a press conference Wednesday morning, LAPD Captain Steve Lurie confirmed that authorities were still searching for the alleged assailants.
Lurie said the motive for the shooting has not been determined and it’s unclear whether it was a targeted or random attack.
Detectives are interviewing witnesses who were at the home at the time.
The house is owned by actor and producer Edwin Arroyave, the husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp (pictured together in February 2019)
Minutes after news of Pop Smoke’s death broke, Nicki Minaj posted a photo of him on Instagram, writing: ‘The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest in Peace, Pop.’
The cryptic caption suggests Pop Smoke may have known the suspects – but law enforcement sources have not said if they think there is a connection.
Several other artists including Quavo, Chance the Rapper and 50 Cent also paid tribute to Pop Smoke on social media.
Kylie Jenner, who’s boyfriend Travis Scott collaborated with Pop Smoke on the hit song Gatti last year, also shared her heartbreak at the news on Twitter.
Pop Smoke, who hails from Brooklyn, rose to fame last summer with the release of his debut mixtape Meet the Woo.
The lead single on that album, Welcome to the Party, reached number five on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and was remixed by Nicki Minaj.
The rapper released his second mixtape, Meet the Woo V.2, earlier this month. The album was met with rave reviews and reached number seven on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
He was set to begin a national tour in March before performing at the famed Rolling Loud music festival in May.
Teddi Mellencamp, 38, confirmed that a shooting had taken place at one of the couple’s rental properties in an Instagram post (pictured)
Quavo also paid tribute to Pop Smoke by sharing photos of them together on Instagram
Rapper 50 Cent tweeted a photo of Pop Smoke in the studio
Chance The Rapper shared his sadness over Pop Smoke’s death at such a young age
At the time of his death Pop Smoke was facing charges for car theft.
He was arrested at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City in January after police alleged he stole a black 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith that he had borrowed for a music video in California, according to The New York Times.
Investigators said the rapper had transported the $375,000 car to New York on the back of a flatbed truck sometime between November 5 and December 3.
He then posed with the allegedly stolen car in an Instagram post that has since been deleted.
Pop Smoke pleaded not guilty to charges of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and denied the allegations in a radio interview on February 7.
‘Foolishness. I’ll tell you later,’ Smoke told Power 105.1 host Angie Martinez . ‘But just know… But you know, it’s cap. We gon’ keep it like that. But just know! Man, look at me man.’