HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after rapper Takeoff, of the popular group Migos, was fatally shot during a private party at a bowling alley in downtown Houston Tuesday, a representative for the group confirmed.
Officers with the Houston Police Department and emergency officials with the Houston Fire Department responded to reports of a shooting at 810 Billiards & Bowling, located at 1201 San Jacinto, around 2:40 a.m.
HPD said when officers arrived at the scene, they located a large crowd and a man on the third floor, now identified as rapper Takeoff, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball. The Medical Examiner’s report revealed that he was shot in the head and torso into his arm. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that Migos group member, Quavo, was also in attendance at the time of the shooting. Police said security guards who were at the event heard the shooting but reportedly did not see who did it.
Two additional victims, a 24-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, were taken to nearby hospitals in private vehicles with non-life-threatening injuries, HPD Chief Troy Finner said.
According to Finner, at least 40 people were at the location when the shooting took place. The party reportedly ended at 1 a.m. but carried over until the incident occurred. Finner said there was an argument that led to the shooting.
Investigators said they found multiple shell casings on the third level outside the bowling and pool hall.
Investigators said they are looking at nearby surveillance video and asking for witnesses who ran from the scene to help with the investigation.
During Tuesday afternoon’s press conference, Finner said he spoke with Takeoff’s mother, who has flown into Houston, and emphasized the pain and suffering she has experienced following the shooting. He told her that the city of Houston and police department stand with her and their family during this time.
“Every brother and sister in the neighborhoods, I’m calling you to action to step up,” Finner said. “There was 40 people at least at this event and people left possibly out of fear. I ask you one thing and want this to resonate with everybody, what if it was your brother or your son? You would want somebody to step up, so please step up and get the information to us so we can bring closure to this family who is hurting right now.”
He also called on the hip-hop community in Houston and around the nation, saying, “we got to police ourselves.”
Finner asked for prayers for Ball’s mother, family and friends who are in deep pain right now.
Mayor Sylvester Turner asked for anyone who has information about the shooters to please call HPD and bring justice to the family.
“We will solve this particular case. We will find the shooter or shooters,” Turner said during the press conference. “I do want extend my condolences to the mom of Takeoff, all the family members and friends. It doesn’t matter how famous you are, you may not be famous at all, anybody who loses his or her life is a life loss and there are family member and friends who are grieving as a result.”
A spokesperson with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission told KPRC 2 that if an investigation were to find that the business’ “policies, procedures or practices contributed to the fatal shooting” potential penalties could include a civil fine or a temporary suspension of the establishment’s liquor license.
“Depending on the severity of a potential violation, cancellation of the business’ liquor license could be considered, that would mean they could no longer sell alcohol (though it wouldn’t necessarily mean they’d close their doors permanently),” the spokesperson said in a statement. “As far as timeline, there’s not a concrete answer, it will depend on how quickly TABC agents and local police are able to collect evidence and witness interviews.”
Quavo and Takeoff released their debut “Only Built for Infinity Links” a few weeks ago without the third Migos member, Offset.
Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS or the HPD Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600.
Watch the full press conference below:
UPDATE: 2 other victims taken in private vehicles to hospitals.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) November 1, 2022
Media partners: We are not releasing an identity of the deceased victim until his family is notified & ID verified by Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Any updates on the incident will be posted here. https://t.co/bbaad2z9My
Complete coverage:
Takeoff’s death: This is what we know about rapper’s shooting so far