Hip Hop Artist Toko Tasi Shot, Killed In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — A reggae and hip hop artist from Long Beach was shot and killed after a dispute Saturday night, authorities said Monday.

Toko Tasi, 45, “was taken away from this Earth by senseless violence,” according to a post on his official Facebook page. He worked with the bands such as Sublime and Slightly Stoopid, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The shooting was reported at 11:40 p.m. Saturday in the area of West Willow Street and Eucalyptus Avenue, police said.

Authorities would not confirm the identity of the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Times. A preliminary investigation has led homicide detectives to believe the victim and suspect were involved in a dispute which resulted in the shooting, and that the male suspect fled the scene on foot, police said.

Tasi was described as a “lover of all things music, who lived life to the fullest,” and promised benefit shows would be scheduled in Long Beach, according to a memorial post on Facebook.

Anyone with information was asked to call homicide Detective Malcolm Evans or Detective Robert Gonzales at 562-570-7244 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222- TIPS (8477).

City News Service contributed to this post