Instagram/Twitter A screenshot from the video showing Takeoff dead is on right.
Rapper Takeoff is dead, the Houston police chief confirmed in a news conference. The Migos rapper was shot after a party at a Houston bowling alley, Texas, on November 1, 2022, and graphic video, which is linked later in this article, shows the tragic aftermath. He was 28.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences told Heavy by email the cause of death for Takeoff, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm.” An autopsy found the manner of death to be homicide, the medical examiner’s office said on November 2, 2022.
Two arrests were made in December 2022. Patrick Xavier Clark has been charged with murder, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at a press conference on December 2.
TMZ first reported that Takeoff was the victim in the shooting, which unfolded in the early morning hours of November 1, 2022. A representative for rap group Migos later confirmed the sad news to The Associated Press. Finner said Takeoff was an “innocent bystander.” Another man, Cameron Isiah Joshua, was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in connection to the shooting, Finner announced.
The entertainment news site posted video of Migos rapper Quavo in a verbal dispute before gunfire breaks out. Takeoff is standing at the edge of the group, but he doesn’t appear to be participating in the dispute. TMZ reported that about 10 shots were heard from two different weapons after a discussion about playing basketball. Watch:
According to Houston Police, two “other victims were taken in private vehicles to hospitals.”
“Takeoff, one-third of Migos, is dead after an early morning shooting in Houston,” TMZ reported. Police confirmed the news in a late afternoon news conference.
“I spoke to this young man’s mother just an hour ago… I want everyone to understand the pain and suffering of a mother,” Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said in a news conference. Finner said the rapper’s mom flew into town after Takeoff’s death.
“This morning, at about 2:34 a.m., officers received a call of a shooting in progress. Officers arrived shortly thereafter,” Finner said. “A downtown location. Billiards Bowling Alley…Once officers arrived, they came upon a male who was deceased. That male has been identified as Kirshnik Khari Ball, better known as Takeoff. He is a member of the Migos rap group out of Atlanta.”
Authorities have not announced a suspect name or motive. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urged people to come forward with information. “We will solve this particular case,” Turner said.
Graphic video also emerged from the scene showing a person posters claim is Takeoff lying on the ground with blood coming out of his head. Be forewarned that the video, which was shared on Twitter, is disturbingly graphic.
A Twitter user warned, “theres a video on takeoff at the scene after it happened that someone posted so if ur in the tag and u see a video honestly prob just dont watch it to be safe. feel sick rn.”
A Twitter user shared a second video, writing, “From this video, the clothes that both Quavo & Take Off have on, it’s definitely them. You can see Quavo bending over him & stand up in disbelief.”
Houston police scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. on November 1.
He was extremely private about his personal life and it’s not clear whether he had a girlfriend or significant other.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Takeoff Was Shot & Killed at a Houston Bowling Alley, Police Say
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Houston Police Sergeant Michael Arrington said in the news conference that Takeoff was located dead at the scene right outside the front door. Two other people had gone to area hospitals on their own with non-life-threatening injuries. They were a 23-year-old male and 24 year old female.
Employees said there was an “incident that occurred after the party had ended.” It was a private party. When it ended, a large group of people gathered outside the building. “It led to an argument, where the shooting took place from the disagreement,” Arrington said.
Many of the people present fled the scene, and police are hoping they will call the homicide division or Crime Stoppers to provide “any information” or videos.
“We are looking for anything to help us,” Arrington said. “We want to find justice for this family. They are going through a lot right now.”
TMZ based its report on law enforcement sources and multiple witnesses.
According to TMZ, the shooting occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m.
That’s when police “got the call for a man shot at a bowling alley called 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston,” TMZ reported.
According to TMZ, Takeoff and Quavo were playing dice “when an altercation broke out” and Takeoff was shot “either in the head or near his head.”
At 3 a.m. on November 1, 2022, Houston police wrote, “Downtown officers are on a shooting at 1200 Polk. One victim was found deceased upon arrival. #hounews CC9.”
Downtown officers are on a shooting at 1200 Polk. One victim was found deceased upon arrival. #hounews CC9
Finner said he respects the people in the hip-hop community. He said he received many calls about Takeoff, and everyone said what a great person and artist Takeoff was, calling him peaceful.
He called on the community to “police” itself and make sure “nobody tears down that industry,” referring to hip-hop/ He said he wants to meet with some of the artists and see “how we can taper things down.” Finner asked for everyone to pray for Takeoff’s mother, family and friends, saying they are in “deep shock.”
“We will find who is responsible for it,” Finner said.
2. A Text From a Purported Witness Says Takeoff Was ‘Just Chillin’ When He Was Accidentally Shot
R.I.P Takeoff 😭🕊️
Finner said police “have no reason to believe he was involved in anything criminal at the time,” referring to Takeoff, saying that people describe him as a peaceful, loving and great entertainer.
He said at least two firearms were used in the shooting incident. Finner did not want to say whether Takeoff was the intended target.
Finner said he believed all of the people involved were in their 20s.
A text circulating online from a purported witness says that “Quavo was shooting dice and he was getting his pockets broke off bad so dude had an attitude and he tried getting aggressive with the wrong mob ties n**** (not gone drop names) and dude got on his a** then somebody they was with jumped up and that’s when everybody bunched up then shots just started ringing but they were coming from somebody Migos was with but he was shooting wild and hit Takeoff on accident and the other n***** start shooting back and I think he got hit again but ultimately his own n***** killed him cause when he got hit the first time I see his body just drop.”
The witness added:
Quavo was plexxed up over some small s*** it really wasn’t worth it. Takeoff was the coolest quietest n**** in the room the whole time. He wasn’t saying a word just chillin in the cut he didn’t even know what was going on. He just jumped up and got shot out of nowhere. Houston for sho about to be a no fly zone cause Mob supposed to be protecting these artist.
Click2Houston reported that three people were shot at the scene and one person had died.
The shooting occurred “during a private party at a bowling alley in downtown Houston Tuesday,” the television station reported.
The call for the shooting came in at 2:40 a.m.
When emergency responders arrived, they found a man dead at the scene with a gunshot wound “to the head or neck,” Click2Houston reported, and a large crowd had gathered.
Houston police told Click2Houston that 40 to 50 people were at the scene, and they confirmed Quavo and Takeoff, of rap group Migos, were both there.
Turner said “too many young men of color” are being killed in disputes. He said that does not have to be Houston’s reality.
3. The Last Song Shared on Takeoff’s Instagram Page Was ‘Stop Breathing’
The song on Takeoff’s last IG story is called “Stop Breathing”.
Damn 💔💔💔
Some fans noticed that the last song posted on Takeoff’s Instagram page was “Stop Breathing.” See his last IG story here.
His last Instagram post, a video, came just hours before the shooting death.
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“♾⛓♾Messy Video Out Now ♾⛓♾ #HappyHalloween,” he wrote.
4. Takeoff Was Born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 1994
RIP #TakeOff 🙏🏾 He was shot and killed over a dice game in Houston early this morning. He was 28.
According to All Music, Takeoff was “the youngest member of trap trendsetters Migos, whose songs ‘Versace’ and ‘Bad and Boujee’ became major streaming hits, and whose 2017 sophomore album, Culture, topped the pop charts in both the U.S. and Canada.”
Takeoff was also a solo artist and collaborator, according to All Music.
Takeoff was born Kirshnik Khari Ball on June 18, 1994, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, according to All Music, which explained that Takeoff “started Migos in 2009 with family members Quavo and Offset in a bid to escape the ghetto cycle of poverty and crime.”
5. People Expressed Shock Online About Takeoff’s Death
As news of Takeoff’s death spread, people offered condolences and expressed shock online.
“Just heard about Takeoff, man, Rest In Peace. Totally ruined my week. I hope his friends and family can eventually find some solace,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“Migos been culturally relevant for a decade now so don’t even start. RIP Takeoff,” another fan tweeted.
“Takeoff dying has to be one of the most randomest thing i’ve heard this year,” another person commented. “Dude is the quietest rapper I’ve ever known. RIP Takeoff☹️.”
“I really feel for takeoff’s family right now bruh😢 especially qauvo and offset………😭😭😭😭 This is unbelievable,” wrote another.
“Omg this is so sad and chilling. Over some dice? Takeoff and Quavo literally just discussed the job of a rapper on Drink Champs. Very very sorry to him and his family,” another person commented.
“His career was just taking off. Can’t believe he is gone. RIP to my favourite rapper in the Migos. 💔,” wrote another.
READ NEXT: Takeoff’s Last Instagram Post