Rapper Takeoff, a member of the influential Atlanta-based rap group Migos, was shot and killed early Tuesday at a party held at a Houston bowling alley. Takeoff, 28, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was discovered dead at the scene around 2:40 a.m. (0640 GMT), according to police. Two other victims, a man and a woman in their twenties, were shot but are expected to survive.
The rapper was a key member of the Atlanta-based hip hop trio, whose hits included “Bad and Boujee,” which featured rapper Lil Uzi Vert, “MotorSport,” and “Walk It Talk It.” “Not only was Takeoff a brilliant musical artist with boundless talent, but he was also a uniquely kind and gentle soul,” his attorney Drew Findling said.
Ball’s death, according to White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, is the latest example of gun violence in America, which President Joe Biden is working to reduce.
“In other cases, we may not know the victims’ names, but we mourn with their families and communities. Our hearts go out to the families of each and every one of the victims “Jean-Pierre made the announcement in a statement.
At least 40 people were at the party when at least two gunmen opened fire, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner during a press conference. He asked witnesses to contact the police if they had any information.
The chief stated that police do not believe Ball was involved in criminal activity, but that the shooting was not an accident. Other than stating that there was an argument at the party, police have not provided a motive for the shooting. Finner stated that “at least two people were pulling triggers.” “Trust me, we’ll find out who’s to blame.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has also asked for witnesses to come forward. “We intend to fix this,” he stated. “Too many young black men are being murdered. Please pray for the family.”
Quavo, 31, whose real name is Quavious Keyate Marshall, was also at the party but was not injured, according to Rolling Stone. Grief over Takeoff’s death, an Atlanta native, flooded the internet in the hours following the initial reports.
“Dice is dead. We are superior to this. Black men have earned the right to grow old “South Fulton, an Atlanta suburb, was represented by Mayor Khalid Kamau on Twitter.
Takeoff is the most recent rap artist to be killed by gun violence, following Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, and King Von. Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was assassinated outside his South Los Angeles clothing store in 2019.
Pop Smoke, a New York rapper, was killed in a home invasion in Hollywood Hills, California, in 2020. After an argument, Dayvon Daquan Bennett, also known professionally as King Von, was fatally shot outside an Atlanta hookah lounge in 2020.
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