Man arrested in fatal shooting of Migos rapper Takeoff

HOUSTON (AP) — A 33-year-old man was arrested on a homicide cost within the capturing of rapper Takeoff, who police on Friday stated was an “harmless bystander” when he was struck by gunfire outdoors a Houston bowling alley.

Patrick Xavier Clark was taken into custody peacefully Thursday evening, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated. Clark’s arrest got here sooner or later after one other man was charged in reference to the Nov. 1 capturing, which authorities stated adopted a dispute over a cube recreation and wounded two different individuals.

Clark was being held in jail Friday awaiting a bond listening to. Courtroom data don’t record an legal professional who might communicate for him, however point out he was arrested as he was making ready to go away the nation for Mexico.

Born Kirsnick Khari Ball, Takeoff was the youngest member of Migos, the Grammy-nominated rap trio from suburban Atlanta that additionally featured his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset.

The 28-year-old musician was shot outdoors the downtown bowling alley at round 2:30 a.m., when police stated a dispute erupted as greater than 30 individuals have been leaving a personal social gathering there. Police beforehand stated one other man and a girl suffered non-life-threatening gunshot accidents, and that a minimum of two individuals opened fired.

Police Sgt. Michael Burrow stated throughout a Friday information convention that the gunfire adopted a disagreement over a “profitable” recreation of cube, however that Takeoff was not concerned and was “an harmless bystander.” Finner stated police have no idea whether or not Clark was invited to the social gathering or if he knew Takeoff.

Each individual on the scene left with out speaking to police, Burrow stated. A few of these individuals have since been positioned by the authorities, who’ve additionally labored to piece collectively occasions with ballistics, video and audio recordings, in line with Burrow. He stated investigators are nonetheless making an attempt to trace down witnesses.

“We might be trying to discover you,” he stated. “It will likely be simpler when you come discover us.”

On Wednesday, authorities introduced the arrest of Cameron Joshua in connection to the capturing. Joshua was charged with illegally having a gun on the time Takeoff was shot, however prosecutors stated the 22-year-old will not be believed to have fired the weapon. Christopher Downey, Joshua’s legal professional, advised reporters that he has not seen something to counsel that his consumer was concerned in Takeoff’s killing.

Burrow stated that investigators imagine it was Clark’s gunfire that killed the rapper.

Prosecutors on Friday requested a courtroom to set Clark’s bond at $1 million, arguing he’s a flight threat. After Takeoff’s capturing, Clark utilized for an expedited passport by submitting the itinerary for an “imminent” flight to Mexico, in line with courtroom data. They are saying he was arrested the day he obtained the passport and was in possession of a “great amount” of money.

Followers and different performers, together with Drake and Justin Bieber, celebrated Takeoff’s musical legacy in a memorial service final month in Atlanta.

Migos’ report label, High quality Management, mourned Takeoff’s dying in a press release posted on Instagram that attributed it to “mindless violence.”

Migos first broke via with the large hit “Versace” in 2013. They’d 4 Prime 10 hits on the Billboard Sizzling 100, although Takeoff was not on their multi-week No. 1 hit “Dangerous and Boujee,” that includes Lil Uzi Vert. They put out a trilogy of albums referred to as “Tradition,” “Tradition II” and “Tradition III,” with the primary two hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Within the weeks earlier than his dying Takeoff, who launched the solo album “The Final Rocket” in 2018, and Quavo put out “Solely Constructed for Infinity Hyperlinks.” Takeoff hoped the joint album with Quavo would construct respect for his lyrical talents, telling the “Drink Champs” podcast, “It’s time to provide me my flowers.”

As Clark’s arrest was introduced Friday, Takeoff’s voice might once more be heard, featured on “Really feel The Fiyaaaah” alongside A$AP Rocky on Metro Boomin’s album launched that day, “Heroes and Villains.”

He sang, “It’s quiet proper now within the streets.”

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This story was first revealed on December 2, 2022. It was up to date on December 3, 2022 as a result of The Related Press erroneously reported Takeoff by no means launched a solo report. He launched the solo album “The Final Rocket” in 2018.