Today (March 9), The Notorious B.I.G. is being remembered by family, friends, fans, and music listeners worldwide, as this marks the 15th anniversary of the date the Brooklyn rapper life’s was ended at the young age of 24.
Christopher Wallace was shot with a rare ammunition in the early morning hours of March 9, 1997, after leaving a Vibe Magazine party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, while celebrating the Soul Train Music Awards. Rumors and speculation have circulated the rapper’s homicide from day one.
Caught in the crossfire of an apparent East Coast vs. West Coast feud, The Notorious B.I.G. left the world with a vault of records that have become known in nearly every crevice of the world, selling over 17 million albums in the United States alone.
His iconic stature supersedes any other Hip-Hop artist, aside from his former friend and West Coast rival rapper Tupac Shakur, whose death occurred merely six months before his own.
Fifteen years later after the gunfire has ceased, the FBI has released documents regarding the murder; however, the police have still yet to make any arrests or find anyone guilty.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) opened up a homicide case after the Wallace murder and are said to have thwarted the murder investigation when findings showed that LAPD officers were directly linked to Notorious B.I.G. nemesis and Death Row Records head Suge Knight.
Numerous documentaries elude to Suge Knight playing a role in arranging the murder of Biggie in retaliation for Shakur’s murder, but the most concrete evidence about what happened can be found in recent FBI documents that show how Wallace was shot and killed with a very rare form of ammunition, according to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.
While most of the information is known, the FBI documents reveal details into what the agency knew about the case. The FBI investigation also stated that a variety Los Angeles Police Department officers, both on and off duty – with gang ties – helped the shooter escape, in addition to stymying the investigation, by not following up on witness reports, or properly documenting witness statements.
At one point, at least 10 witnesses were ready to provide information, but refused to talk to the LAPD. The FBI also has uncut video of the shooting.
In documents released by the FBI, it is also alleged that, at the time, Death Row was making millions from selling records by artists like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Tha Dogg Pound. Other associates working for the label were allegedly selling kilos of cocaine for $14,000, which were then re-sold on the East Coast, for $24,000.
According to the documents, B.I.G. was shot and killed with rounds of Gecko 9mm armor piercing ammunition, which is rarely found in the United States and made in Germany.
After an anonymous caller tipped other police that an unnamed Mob Piru Bloods gang member was involved, LAPD officers obtained a search warrant and found 9mm guns and more Geco 9mm rounds.
The LAPD never conducted ballistic tests, and according to documents, more officers were involved in thwarting the investigation, including two of former Chief Parks’ “personal recruits.” Check out the documents here.
Making matters worse, the whole feud’s inception seems to be linked to the work of Jimmy Henchman who reportedly arranged for Shakur to be shot in New York City at Quad Studios in 1994.
The Notorious B.I.G. left behind a widow, singer Faith Evans, his mother Voletta Wallace, daughter Tionna Wallace, budding actor/son, Christopher Wallace “CJ” Wallace, Jr., and countless released and unreleased Hip-Hop classics.
Check out some FBI documents on B.I.G.’s shooting here:
