Docs: Man charged with murder of Migos rapper ‘Takeoff’ obtained expedited passport, Mexican itinerary shortly after shooting

HOUSTON – Houston Police Chief Troy Finner and Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Friday that they’ve made arrests in the murder of Migos rapper Takeoff, who was shot and killed outside a downtown Houston bowling alley on Nov. 1.

Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, has been charged with murder. Police located Clark in the 14700 block of Sterling Green Boulevard Thursday and placed him under arrest, Finner said. Documents show the suspect had plans to flee to Mexico.

A court document states that prosecutors were opposing a low bond “based on public safety concerns because the defendant shot a firearm into a crowd of people and struck the complainant in the back and head, causing his death. Further, a low bond is unreasonable and insufficient to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court based on his successful efforts to obtain an expedited passport shortly after the murder and an imminent travel itinerary to Mexico.”

Another man, 22-year-old Cameron Isiah Joshua, has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. He was taken into custody on Nov. 22.

Here’s what we know so far

According to details released during a news conference Friday afternoon, the shooting happened at 810 Billiards & Bowling, located at 1201 San Jacinto, around 2:40 a.m. More than 30 people had gathered at a private party when a “lucrative dice game” began.

Takeoff, whose birth name is Kirsnick Khari Ball, was an innocent bystander while his uncle Quavo, who is also a member of the Grammy Award-nominated Atlanta rap group, engaged in an argument with someone. Videos circulating online show that after Quavo turned his back to walk off, gunfire erupted, and Takeoff, who was 28 years old, was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two others were hit by gunfire but had non-life-threatening wounds and went to hospitals in private vehicles.

Houston police said during the preliminary investigation that at least two people discharged firearms. Finner stressed on Friday that Takeoff was not part of the dice game, not part of the argument, nor was he armed.

Takeoff’s primary cause of death was listed as “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm,” according to an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. His death was ruled a homicide.

Authorities said it took extra time to find those responsible because, after the shooting, every person took off without giving a statement to police.

Prosecutors revealed they found surveillance video and an eyewitness confirming that Joshua was at the party with a gun at the time Takeoff was killed.

Joshua’s attorney, Christopher Downey, said his client had absolutely nothing to do with Takeoff’s death.

READ: Man faces weapon charges in connection to Migos rapper’s death

“Cameron Joshua did not shoot Takeoff. He wants to get out. He wants to clear his name,” Downey said.“I haven’t seen anything to suggest that Cameron Joshua had anything to do with the shooting, that he discharged the firearm that caused his death, or was he even involved.”

Chief Finner thanked everyone involved in the investigation.

“We stood here a month ago and made a promise that we would get the individuals or the individual that was responsible for the murder of Takeoff,” he said.

Mayor Turner said this is a significant step toward seeking justice, adding that he hopes it will also bring additional comfort to those who loved Takeoff, even though nothing will bring him back.

“More than an entertainer, he was a son, a brother, cousin and a friend. He was a mentor to those in the music industry,” Turner said.

The mayor is calling for an end to senseless violence.

“I want to express my regret and disappointment that this was the case of another young man taking the life of another young man for no reason,” Turner said. “Gun violence everywhere, not just in the city of Houston, has to stop.”

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