Rapper Shot And Killed In Koreatown While On Phone With Pregnant Wife

LOS ANGELES, CA – A rapper was shot and killed in Koreatown Monday night while talking on the phone with his pregnant wife, according to reports. He's the second rapper to be gunned down in Los Angeles over the last month. On Tuesday, his killer remained at large.

Authorities Tuesday sought the public's help to find the killer of Inglewood rapper Half Ounce.

The shooting occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Olympic Area patrol officers responded to numerous radio calls of shots fired, with a man screaming, in the 700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue," according to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department. "Upon arrival, officers located a victim in front of an apartment building, unresponsive, with gunshot wounds. "

According to the Los Angeles County coroner's office, 32-year-old Latauriisha O'Brien died at the scene. Officers found the mortally wounded man in a planter outside an apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds, LAPD Officer Drake Madison said.

The victim was confirmed by family as rapper Half Ounce, according to Fox11, which reported that his wife, who is pregnant with their fourth child, was on the phone with him when she heard gunfire, and she then drove to the scene.

According to Fox11, the rapper was also walking with a friend when the attack occurred.

Authorities described the suspect as a man in his early 30s, dressed in dark clothing, who drove away in a dark SUV.

Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call the LAPD West Bureau Homicide office at 213-382-9470. Tipsters may also call 877-LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS; or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Half Ounce graduated from Inglewood High School in 2007, according to his Facebook page. He recorded with the San Diego label Wrongkind Records. His songs include "Roll Call" from 2015, "Throw It Up" in 2017, and this year's "Gangbangin."

His death comes less than a month after rapper PnB Rock was shot at Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles during a botched robber. Three suspects in that case were arrested last week.

Police have not publicly identified a motive in Monday's slaying.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to contact West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.