A detailed pal of rising LA singing star Maria “Dela” De La Rosa says the 22-year-old “protected his life” the evening she was gunned down — telling her “brother from one other mom” to not tag alongside earlier than an alleged theft went horribly improper in Northridge on Nov. 22.
Ethan Clemons, 21, often known as “Thanos” on the Ray J–hosted relationship present Love Cabin, was with De La Rosa simply earlier than she received into an Escalade with two buddies and headed to a “low-income” space close to the tasks to fulfill somebody.
“I used to be together with her that evening, at the beginning occurred,” Clemons advised The Publish. “I used to be presupposed to go together with her, however she advised me to remain residence,” he stated. “She protected my life that evening — with out even figuring out it.”
Clemons was at her home when she advised him, “I don’t need you going there, I don’t need you caught up in something.” De La Rosa knew the place she was going was a extra “harmful place,” strictly as a result of it was a “lower-income” space close to the “tasks,” Clemons stated.
“In the event you’re not from a venture you’re going to stay out like a sore thumb,” Clemons added.
What was presupposed to be a fast cease to fulfill one other pal — or choose her up — changed into a 15-minute pull-over close to Bryant Road east of Tampa Avenue, Clemons stated.
That’s when witnesses noticed two males stroll as much as the automotive round 1:25 a.m., the LAPD stated.
The driving force of the Escalade, a person, and De La Rosa’s different pal, a lady, have been within the again seat, in line with Clemons. “They have been attempting to rob the person, they usually weren’t capable of,” Clemons stated.
That’s when De La Rosa tried to duck for canopy by climbing from the passenger seat into the again seat. The suspects fired 5 rounds into the automotive towards the driving force, finally putting De La Rosa within the torso — coming into one aspect and exiting the opposite — and hitting important organs, Clemons stated.
“I actually don’t assume anybody was presupposed to get hit with bullets,” Clemons stated. “She was simply going to go meet her pal, and I believe perhaps among the improper folks heard of her coming,” he advised The Publish, saying the driving force was additionally recognized to have cash.
“She was within the improper place on the improper time. And I advised her this: even in case you do have buddies in sure areas, you don’t at all times want to fulfill them in these areas,” Clemons stated.
De La Rosa’s buddies who have been within the automotive have been unhurt, in line with Clemons. “It’s very unlucky, however I consider all the things occurs for a motive. Not saying she ought to have died, however she is an angel now and lots of people will be taught from this. We will’t take life with no consideration,” Clemons advised The Publish.
Each Clemons and De La Rosa have been artists who revered one another’s work. In considered one of her final Instagram posts, De La Rosa tagged Clemons and wrote: “From us being little children, to younger adults! Wished to take the time to congratulate my brother from one other mom for his success on Love Cabin! Many extra blessings to come back, so pleased with you.”
Feedback on her social media web page advised the taking pictures was gang-related and accused her of throwing up MS-13 gang indicators, however Clemons stated this couldn’t be farther from the reality.
“She was positively not MS-13, she by no means used gang indicators,” Clemons stated. “She was very well mannered and properly spoken,” he stated, including that whereas she was half Mexican, she primarily recognized together with her Colombian aspect of the household.
Clemons stated De La Rosa wasn’t concerned with gangs or medication. Her ardour was making music — she spent most of her time within the studio or at residence writing.
De La Rosa launched “No Me Llames” (“Don’t Name Me”) this previous August and was set to launch “some actually large stuff,” Clemons stated. “It’s simply unhappy that she will’t.”
Providers for De La Rosa will likely be held Tuesday at 12 p.m. on the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, and will likely be open to the general public.
