A celebration meant to honour the legacy of late rapper Nipsey Hussle turned tragic on Sunday, March 1, 2026, when a shooting near the grand opening of Marathon Burger in downtown Long Beach left one person dead and two others injured.
The event had drawn hundreds of supporters eager to celebrate the expansion of Marathon Burger, the fast-food venture founded by Hussle and his brother, Black Sam. The opening was intended as a joyful tribute to the Grammy-nominated artist’s enduring impact on his community and entrepreneurial vision.
However, just after 3:30 p.m., gunfire erupted about half a block south of the celebration on Broadway near Pine Avenue, outside the designated event perimeter. Panic quickly spread as attendees fled the area.
Eric VanDyke, a relative of Hussle who was present at the event, described the chaotic scene. He said he saw crowds running in different directions before hearing reports of gunshots, adding that the incident cast a shadow over what was meant to be a positive occasion.
Police confirmed that three men were shot and transported to hospital. One of the victims later died, while the other two were reported to be in stable condition on Sunday night. Authorities said no arrests had been made and investigations remain ongoing.
A nearby resident identified as Seven expressed heartbreak over the violence, saying the grand opening was meant to celebrate Hussle’s life and legacy, not be defined by tragedy.
The shooting came just one day after a ceremony officially renamed the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue as Nipsey Hussle Square. The event was attended by Hussle’s former partner, Lauren London, and took place near the original location of The Marathon clothing store.
Hussle was fatally shot outside one of his stores in 2019 at the age of 33. In 2023, Eric Ronald Holder Jr was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the killing.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Sunday’s shooting to contact Long Beach police as they continue their investigation.
