The Atlanta-based Dolla, whose real name was Roderick Anthony Burton II, was standing in the valet section near the Beverly Center’s La Cienega entrance when he was shot in the head at approximately 3:10 pm (Pacific Daylight Time). Burton died shortly after being taken to nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Burton’s publicist, Sue Vannasing, told police her client had gotten into an argument with a couple of people earlier that day, either at the airport or somewhere else, and that the people eventually followed him to the mall.

About one hour after the shooting police issued a bulletin for a “person of interest” and eventually arrested 23-year-old Aubrey Louis Berry of Georgia at LAX. A Mercedes believed to be the one used by the shooter was found in the airport’s parking lot.

According to airport police spokesman Sgt. Jim Holcomb, police approached Berry, asking, “Do you know why we’re here?” At that point Berry put his hands in the air and said, “Yes, I’ve got a gun in my waistband. Don’t shoot me.”

In addition to arresting Berry at LAX, police are also questioning a woman who was at the scene of the shooting.

Burton has been described in various media reports as an up-and-coming rapper. The Times, citing Burton’s MySpace page, says he was once a member of a group called Da Razkals Cru which evidently impressed P. Diddy and Missy Elliott enough to get a record contract. Burton eventually embarked on a solo career, and one of his songs appeared in the motion picture “Step Up.”

The Associated Press states Burton was in Los Angeles to work on his second album – A Dolla and a Dream – which was to be released on Akon’s Konvict Muzik label.

In what now seems like a prophetic moment, one of Burton’s songs – “Rainy Nights” – contained the line: “Papa died at 25 so he must have been great, they say the good die young, I guess I’m on my way.”

Click here for the entire Los Angeles Times article.

Click here for the Associated Press account