Shooting Disrupts Grand Opening of Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger in Long Beach

One person killed, two injured in incident near new restaurant location

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The grand opening of the fourth location of Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger restaurant in Long Beach, California was marred by a shooting that left one person dead and two others injured. The incident occurred about a half-block away from the event, sending hundreds of people fleeing. Despite the tragic shooting, the opening was deemed a success, with several celebrities in attendance to show their support for the new restaurant.

Why it matters

The shooting highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence in the communities that Nipsey Hussle sought to uplift through his business ventures and community activism. While the Marathon Burger opening was meant to be a celebratory event for the neighborhood, the incident underscores the persistent public safety concerns that still linger.

The details

According to police, the shooting erupted outside the perimeter of the Marathon Burger grand opening event on Sunday, March 1, 2026. About a half-block away from the festivities, multiple shots were fired, sending hundreds of people running in all directions. Three men were struck by the gunfire and rushed to a local hospital, where one victim later died. The two other men were reported to be in stable condition.

  • The shooting occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during the grand opening celebration of the fourth Marathon Burger location in Long Beach.
  • The day prior, on March 2, 2026, city officials had named the intersection of Slauson and Crenshaw 'Nipsey Hussle Square' in honor of the late rapper's life and influence.

The players

Nipsey Hussle

The late rapper who founded the Marathon Burger restaurant chain.

Eric VanDyke

A relative of Nipsey Hussle who witnessed the shooting and expressed disappointment that the tragic incident overshadowed an otherwise positive event for the community.

Long Beach Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the shooting that occurred near the Marathon Burger grand opening.

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What they’re saying

“It was disappointing because I know that Nip, (Blacc) Sam wanted this to be a happy occasion, so it's unfortunate that something happened that would bring more attention to the negative elements as opposed to the positive elements.”

— Eric VanDyke, Relative of Nipsey Hussle (ABC7)

What’s next

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, including seeking additional witnesses and video footage related to the incident. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

The takeaway

The tragic shooting that disrupted the grand opening of Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger location serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent challenges of gun violence that continue to impact communities like the one Hussle sought to uplift through his entrepreneurial and community-focused efforts.