Pop Smoke May Have Been Targeted, Not A Robbery: Report

BY Erika Marie 20.1K Views
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Pop Smoke Death
As more news of Pop Smoke's callous murder is shared, TMZ claims that surveillance footage shows this wasn't a robbery.

It was reported on Wednesday (February 19) that four masked gunmen stormed a Hollywood Hills residence before they shot and killed rapper Pop Smoke in a robbery. However, TMZ has issued a new report stating that the Brooklyn rapper was specifically targeted and that robbery doesn't seem to be the motive of the attack.

According to TMZ, there is surveillance footage that shows the precision of the gunman as they stalked the Los Angeles home. The outlet states that the video shows the men approaching at 4:30 a.m. and sneaking around the back of the residence. A few minutes later, three of the gunman reportedly walk around to the front. The fourth gunman allegedly walked through the backdoor, and the next time you see him, he's leaving through the front.

"As we reported, multiple shots were fired inside the home and they only struck Pop Smoke, who was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he was pronounced dead," TMZ writes. They also state that the surveillance video shows that the gunmen at the scene left the residence without seeming to take anything with them.

Robbery was initially said to be the motive in the brutal killing after images and video clips of the 20-year-old rapper showing off cash and luxury gifts circulated on social media. The young artist was celebrating his latest mixtapeMeet The Woo 2, debuting on the Billboard 200 chart at No. 7 on Tuesday (February 18).


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.