A 23-year-old aspiring rapper was gunned down in his apartment Monday afternoon, causing three nearby schools in Riverside County to go on lockdown as investigators searched for the gunman. Tony Shin reports for NBC4 News at 5 p.m. from Temecula Monday, Sept. 22, 2014.
Residents of a Temecula apartment complex were reeling after an aspiring rapper was gunned down inside his home late Monday morning.
The killing was reported just after 10 a.m. at the Portofino Apartments at 30000 Rancho California Road, where residents said they heard about six rounds fired, yelling and a car peel out before learning that their 23-year-old neighbor had been slain.
The victim was identified Tuesday by the Riverside County Coroner's Office as 24-year-old Justin Triplett. Friends told NBC4 he went by the stage name Yung Trip the Pretty.
"I didn't really want to stick my head out because in case anything happened I didn't want anything directed toward us,” said Anthony Roskepamaran, who grabbed his 1-year-old daughter and took cover inside their home.
Riverside County sheriff’s investigators said the shooter quickly left the apartment after opening fire.
Three nearby schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution for about an hour as deputies searched for the gunman. No one was found.
Friends and family members of the victim arrived at the scene hoping to learn about his killing. They said the victim was an up-and-coming rapper.
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Residents standing near a grassy area where children usually play said they were in disbelief over the deadly violence.
"I was just telling my husband who just came home that I'm scared now to live here," said Liz Harper.
