Police have arrested a man and charged him with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of rapper Takeoff.
The 28-year-old Grammy-nominated musician was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas last month. Houston police said the shooting was over a game of dice, but the singer was “an innocent bystander”.
Takeoff was the youngest member of rap group Migos, and his death was mourned by fans and fellow musicians. At a Friday press conference, Houston Police announced they arrested Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, with the help of surveillance footage that was obtained from the night of the shooting.
“[Clark] was there on the scene and he was in possession of a weapon,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.
He added that an investigation is still ongoing, and he has appealed for witnesses to come forward and share information with the police.
“Don’t let the fear paralyse you,” Chief Finner said in his appeal. “Step up and say something.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston said he hopes the arrest will bring some comfort to the family of Takeoff. He added that Takeoff was more than an entertainer, but also a “son, brother, cousin and a friend, and a mentor to those in the music industry”.
Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was one-third of the chart-topping Atlanta-based rap group Migos, who is known for several hits like Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry. They were nominated for two Grammy Awards – one for best rap album and one for best rap performance – in 2018.
One-third of the popular American rap group Migos Takeoff was reportedly shot and killed over a dice game in Houston. According to TMZ, “Law enforcement sources, and multiple witnesses, tell them the fatal incident went down shortly after 2:30 AM … that’s when cops got the call for a man shot at a bowling alley called 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston.”