Some of the events leading up to Biggie's death:

8 p.m. - The night began at the Peterson Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles at a party hosted by "Vibe" magazine, Qwest Records, and Tanqueray gin to celebrate Friday night's 11th annual Soul Train Music Awards.

The guest list was a who's who of the East coast hip-hop world, including Busta Rhymes, Heavy D, Da Brat, Yo-Yo, producer Jermaine Dupree and, of course, Biggie Smalls and the head of his label, Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean "Puffy" Combs. 9:30 p.m. - According to sources we spoke to, the party really got going around 9:30 or 10:00 p.m., and Biggie appeared to be having a great time taking a table near the dance floor and chatting with friends. Indeed, one witness told us, there was no discernable concern about being in Los Angeles on the part of anyone in the Bad Boy group despite the fact that in the past, other East coast rappers have been worried about traveling West.

12:35 a.m. - The only apparent problem with the party is that is became overcrowded, and as is often the case in such situations in L.A., the fire marshals were called in and the party was shut down at approximately 12:35 a.m.

12:45 a.m. - As you can imagine with the party suddenly closed, a lot of people poured out into the street and were waiting for their valet parked cars. The stories do become a bit sketchy here, but according to a witness who spoke to "USA Today", Biggie and Puffy came out around 12:45 and talked to their friends about going on to another party.

Puffy first had his car brought around. He drove off, and then Biggie and two friends (reportedly Lil Caesar from Jr. MAFIA and Biggie's bodyguard, Damian) got into his GMC Suburban and drove up to the light with Biggie in the passenger side.

As best we can determine, Biggie's car came to a stop at a red light at Wilshire and Fairfax when another car, possibly a black Jeep according to an "L.A. Times" source, drove around on the right side. Six to ten shots were then fired from the other vehicle into the passenger side of Biggie's car. Panic obviously ensued and the Suburban drove straight to nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which in good traffic is no more than a five minute drive.

1:15 a.m. - Biggie Smalls, who's real name is Christopher Wallace, is pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai. Meanwhile back at the party, cops in riot gear were brought in to prevent what police thought could be an out of control situation. Distraught friends and fans showed up to learn the news of Biggie's death.