Pop Smoke, a rising New York rapper, was fatally shot in a home in the Hollywood Hills early Wednesday, multiple law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times.
Officers responded after someone called reporting that several people, at least one of whom wore a black mask and was armed with a handgun, had entered their friend’s home in Los Angeles shortly before 5 a.m., said LAPD Capt. Steve Lurie.
He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers detained several people inside the house, but they were later released. At least four suspects fled the scene, and authorities say they have not been found.
Investigators suspect the home where the rapper was staying was targeted by the assailants. In recent years, several home invasions in Los Angeles have been aimed at homes being rented by musicians, according to law enforcement sources.
Investigators are aware that the rapper may have inadvertently posted an image with the address on social media, the sources said.
Pop Smoke also had been tied by officials to the Crips street gang, and detectives suspected the assailants were likely gang members.
His second mixtape, “Meet the Woo 2,” came out earlier this month and features big-name hip-hop artists such as Quavo and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. That album debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart.
Pop Smoke is also featured on the Travis Scott song “Gatti,” which came out late last year.
Pop Smoke was signed to Republic Records through Victor Victor Worldwide, according to the label.
Pop Smoke had been scheduled to embark on his Meet the Woo Tour next month, with an initial show March 2 in Washington, D.C. He also was scheduled to perform on the second day of the Rolling Loud festival in Miami in May.