Cops fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse hundreds of rap fans who took over a central Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday to pay final respects to slain hip hop artist XXXtentacion.
At least 300 people – many carrying candles or lit cell phones – filled a stretch of Melrose Avenue shortly before 8 p.m.
But as time passed, some of the mourners became rowdy, climbing on to building roofs and swarming passing cars, the LA Times said.
They also threw rocks at nearby police, KABC-TV reported.
Officers eventually fired tear gas, pepper-spray balls and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, according to both media outlets.
There was no permit for the memorial.
“We’re going to try to have them safely leave and try to get the street back in order,” said LAPD officer and spokesman Tony Im.
The 20-year-old artist – born Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy – was gunned down in a drive-by shooting Monday night in Florida, Broward County Sheriff’s deputies said.
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