Authorities responded to the 400 block of N. La Brea Avenue at 11:32 p.m. and found a man inside a black vehicle with two gunshot wounds to his head. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.
The victim was identified as Mante Ray Talbert, a 22-year-old from Hawthorne. Talbert was known as M-Bone of the Southern California rap group Cali Swag District that rose to fame for their hit song, "Teach Me How to Dougie."
"I can't explain it, it just hurts," said C-Smoove of Cali Swag District. "He was the life of the group. We'd get on stage, we'd have fun because of him. He made us laugh. He was the energy."
Police said the suspect pulled almost adjacent to the victim, who was seated in his car outside a liquor store around the corner from the group's recording studio, pointed a gun out of the window and fired multiple shots.
"I'm crushed. I feel awful. I just want to go sit in a corner. I just lost one of my best friends," said JayAre of Cali Swag District. "I've been with this dude every day for like two years and I'm never going to see him again."
A motive for the shooting has not been determined. Group manager Big Wy said he wanted to stress that the shooting was random.
"These guys are not affiliated with gangs, have nothing to do with them," he said.
The group had just returned from a world tour and was in Los Angeles one day.
The "Dougie" dance craze was emulated by millions, including first lady Michelle Obama, Barbara Walters and NBA player John Wall.
Hundreds of fans, family and friends gathered outside the liquor store Monday to remember Talbert.
Talbert's younger brother, Montrel, found out about the tragedy through Facebook.
"I still don't believe it. I don't want to believe it right now," he said. "I was proud of him. I looked up to him. I just want to know why, man. It's not right."
Anyone with information is urged to call (888) 41-CRIME.
