Dennis RomeroUPDATE: A suspect named Robert Falcon has been arrested and charged with Trigz' murder.
Trigz, a famed body piercing artist whose distinctively tattooed face was seen in magazines and music videos, was fatally shot in North Hollywood last night, according to police and reports.
The actor, model and member of the renowned Seventh Letter graffiti artist crew reportedly got into an altercation at or near a tattoo parlor when gunfire erupted.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, …
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… the attack happened about 5:50 p.m. at Victory and Laurel Canyon boulevards.
The shooter was described only as a man in his 30s who possibly got away in a white, early '90s Honda Accord, according to the LAPD.
A witness told ABC Los Angeles that about four gunshots were heard before Trigz's body was found feet from the tattoo business. Authorities said the victim died at the scene. A photo of people gathered around the artist yesterday can be seen here.
Loved ones gathered at the tattoo shop last night. Fans posted tributes on Trigz's Facebook wall. One was written in French, another in Vietnamese. A woman who identified herself as family said the man also known as “Mike Sr.” was expecting a baby grandchild in about a month.
The North Hollywood tattoo shop is not the business most-affiliated with Trigz, a.k.a. Mr. Trigger. He worked out of Sincity Tattoo in Pacoima, where he specialized in body piercing.
Noted Venice photographer and skater Pep Williams announced Trigz's death on his Facebook page last night, saying, “Lost another brother just a couple of hours ago. Many good memories from shooting, grubbing and hanging at the traphouse. Love you brother.”
Credit: Trigz with photographer Pep Williams, courtesy Pep Williams
[Update at 2:05 p.m.]: LAPD Det. Steve Castro told us that the altercation started inside the Black Derby Smoke Shop and that Trigz was shot just outside that business at 6334 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Strangely, the detective said, after an argument started and fighting erupted, “the dispute discontinued” briefly outside before Trigz was shot.
A tattoo shop two doors down was not the location of any of the violence, Castro said, but Trigz did appear to work there regularly.
L.A. County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter confirmed that the victim was 40-year-old Michael Christopher Pebley (a.k.a. Trigz) of Tujunga, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 6 p.m. yesterday.
The precise cause of death had yet to be determined because an autopsy was still pending, he said.
Castro said detectives were looking into some leads but that no suspects had been identified yet. He did not want to say whether or not police believe Trigz was a gang member.
The family of the artist, who said he had worked with Chris Brown, Mobb Deep and Travis Barker, were raising money for funeral costs via GoFundMe.com.
Trigz left behind five children.
With reporting from City News Service. Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow LA Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.
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