Pop Smoke's Murder Detailed By Woman Who Witnessed Shooting

BY Erika Marie 9.0K Views
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A firsthand witness told Van Lathan about Pop's final moments.

Van Lathan Jr. has been trekking across America as he speaks with relatives and loved ones of Pop Smoke. As the host of Hip Hop Homicides, Lathan takes an intimate look at some of Rap's most controversial figures and their untimely deaths that shook the culture. Pop was a Drill artist who was dominating the scene, and just as he was approaching his breakthrough to mainstream, he was murdered in California.

Pop Smoke was in a rented Hollywood Hills residence when he was the victim of a home invasion. Several intruders broke in and shot him in cold blood, but he wasn't the only person at the location. It was long reported that a woman was with him, and on Hip Hop Homicides, she shares her story.

Read More: Pop Smoke Fans Angered As Pics Of Accused Killer Eating Pizza Hut In Jail Surface

A woman named Amelia Rose surfaced for an interview with the series, and she detailed what she witnessed.

"Pop said he was going to upstairs," she said in broken English. "I'm sitting on the bed, and I'm starting to take off my clothes, and he said, 'Okay, I will come back.' He was going to restroom. This is his last words."

She said it was only seconds before someone else came in. "And I hear some noise. The guy was in the mask and his gun was like, looking at me. His eyes make me so scared. They run to the restroom. Pop screamed, 'What?!'"

Elsewhere, Lathan sits down with Audrey Jackson, Pop Smoke's mother. In a clip, he asked her how she wants the world to remember her son.

"Charming. A flirt," she said with a laugh. "Determined. Very caring. He would take care of people. When people were at their lowest point, his music, his words, got them through."

Watch more below as Ms. Jackson details the last time she spoke with her late son.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.