Kerry Lathan Talks Getting Shot With Nipsey Hussle & Reports Of Their Friendship

Two other men were also shot outside the Marathon Clothing store alongside Nipsey Hussle on March 31. Kerry "Cousin Kerry" Lathan and his nephew Shermi Villanueva were taken to the hospital on that day, but both men survived the shooting.

Vlad TV spoke to Lathan over the phone from jail. He is currently behind bars for reportedly violating his parole stipulations by associating with Hussle who is a known "gang member."

During the conversation, Lathan addressed the rumors he and Hussle were close friends and the late rapper was at Marathon Clothing the day of the incident in order to collect clothes for the recently released felon. However, Lathan says that story is not accurate. Apparently, Villanueva suggested that Lathan go into Marathon to buy a new shirt.

“When I go in there, they didn’t have the white ones that I wanted. I said, ‘When y’all gon’ get that in again?’ He said, ‘Well, there go Nipsey in the lot. Go talk to him.’ And I talked to him. He said, ‘That’ll be about a week, bro.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ When I said it, it was all bad," recalled Lathan.

The entire shooting took place in less than three minutes, according to Lathan. He also clarified that he did not know Nipsey that well but the Grammy-nominated performer was known to provide clothing to a lot of returning former inmates even if he did not have a personal relationship with them.

Cousin Kerry said, “When I first came home, Nipsey heard that I was home and filled up my little sister’s backseat of her car with clothing for me, so I had clothes to wear. I was out seven months before this [shooting] happened.”

The 56-year-old Los Angeles resident is currently confined to a wheelchair as he awaits word about his parole potentially being revoked. A #FreeCousinKerry fundraiser was set up to raise money to help pay for his medical and legal fees.