HOUSTON (AP) — A 33-year-old man was arrested in the fatal shooting of rapper Takeoff, who police said Friday was an “innocent bystander” when he was shot Outside a Houston bowling alley.
Patrick Xavier Clark was taken into peaceful custody Thursday night, Houston Police Chief Troy Fenner said. A day earlier, another man was involved in a shooting on Nov. 1 in what authorities said was an altercation over a dice game that left two others injured.
Clark was being held in jail on Friday awaiting a bail hearing. Court records did not list an attorney who could speak for him, but indicated he was arrested as he was preparing to leave the country for Mexico.
Born Kirsnick Khari Ball, Takeoff is the youngest member of the Migos, a Grammy-nominated rap trio from suburban Atlanta that also includes his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset.
The 28-year-old musician was shot outside the downtown bowling alley around 2:30 a.m. when police said an altercation broke out as more than 30 people left a private party there. Police previously said another man and a woman suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and at least two people were shot.
Police Sergeant. Michael Burrow said at a news conference Friday that the shots came after a disagreement over a “profitable” game of dice, but that Takeoff was not involved and was “an innocent bystander.” Finner said police did not know if Clark was invited to the party or if he knew Takeoff.
Everyone at the scene left without speaking to police, Burrow said. Some of those individuals were later located by authorities, who also worked to piece together events with ballistics, video and audio recordings, according to Burrow. Investigators are still trying to find witnesses, he said.
“We’ll look for you,” he said. “It’s much easier for you to come to us.”
Authorities announced the arrest of Cameron Joshua on Wednesday related to shooting. Joshua was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm when Takeoff was shot, but prosecutors said the 22-year-old is not believed to have fired the gun. Joshua’s attorney, Christopher Downey, told reporters he had seen no indication his client was involved in Takeoff’s killing.
Investigators believe Clark shot the rapper, Burrow said.
On Friday, prosecutors asked the court to set Clark’s bond at $1 million, citing his flight risk. According to court records, after the Takeoff shooting, Clark submitted an itinerary for an “imminent” flight to Mexico, which led to his application for an expedited passport. They said he was arrested the day he received the passport and was in possession of a “substantial amount” of cash.
Fans and other performers, including Drake and Justin Bieber, celebrate Takeoff’s musical legacy at memorial service In Atlanta last month.
The Migos’ record label, Quality Control, mourned Takeoff’s death in a statement posted on Instagram, attributing it to “senseless violence”.
Migos first broke through in 2013 with the smash hit “Versace.” Although Takeoff didn’t hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, they first broke through in 2013. 1 hit “Bad and Boujee” starring Lil Uzi Vert. They released a trilogy of albums titled “Culture”, “Culture II” and “Culture III”, the first two of which reached number one. debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Weeks before his death, Takeoff released his solo album The Last Rocket in 2018 and Quavo released Only Built for Infinity Links. Takeoff hopes the joint album with Quavo will honor his lyrical prowess, telling the “Drink Champs” podcast, “It’s time to give me flowers.”
With the announcement of Clark’s arrest Friday, Takeoff’s voice was heard again, appearing alongside A$AP Rocky on “Feel The Fiyaaaah” from Metro Boomin’s album “Heroes and Villains,” which was released that day.
“The streets are quiet now,” he sang.
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This story was first published on December 2, 2022. It was updated on December 3, 2022, after The Associated Press falsely reported that Takeoff never released a solo record. In 2018, the solo album “The Last Rocket” was released.