March 31, 2019, started as a normal Sunday in South Los Angeles. By sunset, everything changed. The world lost Ermias Asghedom, better known as Nipsey Hussle, in a moment that felt both impossible and inevitable. If you’ve spent any time on the internet since then, you’ve likely seen snippets or heard about the nipsey hussle shooting video. It’s a grainy, haunting piece of surveillance footage that became the center of a high-profile murder trial.
Honestly, the video doesn’t just show a crime. It shows the end of an era for a neighborhood that was finally seeing a leader invest back into it.
The Footage the Jury Saw
When the trial for Eric Holder Jr. finally got underway, the prosecution didn’t just rely on what people heard. They had the visuals. The nipsey hussle shooting video essentially served as the primary witness.
Captured by a camera from a business adjacent to The Marathon Clothing store, the footage shows a man in a dark shirt—later identified as Holder—approaching a group in the parking lot. It’s quick. Brutal. You see Nipsey and two other men fall. Most people don’t realize that the shooter actually left and then came back.
He fired, walked away, then returned to fire again.
Why the "Snitch" Comment Mattered
The video captures the physical act, but the transcripts from the grand jury explain the "why." Earlier that day, Nipsey and Holder had a conversation. It wasn't a screaming match. Witnesses say it was actually pretty calm. Nipsey basically told Holder that there were rumors he had been "snitching" and that he needed to clear his name.
In that world, being called a snitch is a death sentence. Holder didn't take it as "big brotherly advice." He took it as a direct threat to his life and reputation.
Breaking Down the Evidence
During the 2022 trial, the details became much clearer. We found out that Holder wasn't alone. He was with a woman, referred to in court as "Witness 1," who actually took a photo with Nipsey just minutes before the shooting. She had no idea what was about to happen.
- The First Volley: Holder approached from an alley.
- The Return: After the initial shots, he returned to kick Nipsey in the head.
- The Escape: He ran back to a waiting Chevy Cruze.
The evidence was so overwhelming that Holder’s own defense attorney, Aaron Jansen, didn't even try to argue that his client didn't do it. Instead, he tried to lean into a "heat of passion" defense. He wanted the jury to see it as voluntary manslaughter rather than premeditated murder.
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It didn't work.
The 60-Year Sentence
By early 2023, the legal saga reached its peak. Judge H. Clay Jacke II sentenced Eric Holder Jr. to 60 years to life in prison. He got 25 years for the murder, another 25 because he used a gun, and 10 extra years for the two other men he wounded.
Holder sat there in his orange jumpsuit, staring straight ahead. No reaction. No apology.
What's Happening in 2026?
Fast forward to today, and the "Marathon" is still going, though it looks different. The physical store on Slauson and Crenshaw was eventually fenced off and became a bit of a memorial site before plans for the "Nipsey Hussle Tower" moved forward.
We’re also seeing a massive docuseries titled Hussle slated for release this year. Directed by One9, the filmmaker behind the Nas documentary Time Is Illmatic, it’s expected to feature a ton of never-before-seen footage. Apparently, Nipsey was a bit of a historian of his own life. He recorded almost everything.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you are looking for the truth behind the headlines, avoid the "leaked" versions of the nipsey hussle shooting video on shady websites. They are often edited or clickbait.
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- Read the Grand Jury Transcripts: If you want the real nuance, the 500+ pages of transcripts provide more context than any 30-second clip.
- Support the Estate: The Marathon Clothing still operates online. Buying directly from them ensures the money goes to his children, Emani and Cross.
- Watch the 2026 Docuseries: This is where the family is finally telling the story on their terms, using the massive archive of video Nipsey left behind.
The legacy of Nipsey Hussle isn't defined by how he died, but by the blueprint he left for his community. The video is a tragedy, but the work he did before that camera ever started rolling is what actually matters.
Keep an eye out for the new project No Summer with Bino Rideaux, which is also rumored to feature unreleased verses. The music, much like the message, hasn't stopped.