By Russell Hope, news reporter

Two people have been critically injured after a vigil for rapper Nipsey Hussle turned into a stampede, hours before police named a suspect in his shooting.

The two were among 19 people injured after a crowd of up to 400 people panicked at the vigil outside the musician’s Los Angeles (LA) clothes store.

The panic followed reports of gunfire but Los Angeles Police chief Michel Moore later said on Twitter: “Reports of shots fired at the vigil do not appear accurate”.

Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said another of those injured suffered a “penetrating injury,” although it’s unclear whether that person was stabbed or cut by broken glass.

Two other injuries were described as serious and the others were not life-threatening.

Hussle was shot multiple times at the clothing store on Sunday afternoon and was pronounced dead in hospital.

Two other people were injured in the shooting.

Police have now named a suspect in the 33-year-old’s death – Eric Holder, who was last seen fleeing the scene of the shooting in a 2016 white Chevy Cruze driven by an unknown woman.

Holder, 29, is a Los Angeles resident.

Police gave the car’s number plate as 7RJD742.

Officers said they do not have a motive for the killing of Hussle but much speculation has centred on the city’s gang-crime culture.

The rapper, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, grew up in south LA and often talked about being in a street gang during his teenage years.

He had since turned his life around and had become a community organiser, media reports said.

His debut studio album, “Victory Lap” was nominated for Best Rap Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Monday’s vigil had started peacefully, with hundreds of people lining the pavements and car parks with candles, flowers and balloons.

Hussle’s music played through speakers as people passed around a megaphone to share memories of his time in the neighbourhood.

But after 8pm, the crowd suddenly began running, with some yelling that shots had been fired.

ABC7 reporter Veronica Miracle described “a huge stampede” as people ran from the area.

A musician at the vigil said a fight had broken out and the mourners likely mistook the sound of bottles and candles shattering for gunshots.

Several National Basketball Association (NBA) players, including MVP contender Kawhi Leonard, paid tribute to Hussle by writing messages on their trainers in Monday night’s games.

Police are expected to give an update on the investigation later.