CNN
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Takeoff, who represented one-third of the platinum-selling rap group Migos, was fatally shot early Tuesday in Houston, Texas, authorities said. He was 28 years old.
Police received a call of a shooting in progress around 2:34 a.m. local time, Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner said Tuesday at a press conference. Officers arrived at 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston where there was a private party and found a dead man at the scene.
Two other people – a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman – were also injured in the shooting and went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Sgt. Michael Arrington with the Police Department Homicide Division.
Employees told police an argument took place after the party ended when a large group of people gathered outside the front door outside the building, leading to the shooting. At least 40 people were at the scene at the time of the shooting, Finner said.
“A lot of people who were there fled the scene and didn’t stay to make a statement,” Arrington said.
Finner identified the deceased man as Kirshnik Khari Ball, also known as Takeoff from the rap group Migos.
“I’ve had many calls from Houston and outside of Houston, and everyone has been talking about what a great young man he is, how peaceful he is, what a great entertainer (he is),” said Finner, later adding that Takeoff was highly respected. and non-violent.
“I wouldn’t expect him to be involved… We have no reason to believe he was involved in anything criminal at the time,” Finner said.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he met Takeoff’s mother.
“It doesn’t matter how famous you are. You might not be famous at all,” Turner said. “Anyone who loses their life is a lost life, and there are family members and friends who suffer from it.”
The news of Takeoff’s death was a blow to the hip-hop community, which is still recovering from rapper PnB Rock’s fatal shooting in September. The stars took to social media on Tuesday to pay their respects and express their condolences for Takeoff’s death.
Gucci Mane, who recently collaborated with Takeoff on the track “Us vs. Them,” wrote on Instagram, “It broke my heart” upon hearing the news.
“This is awful. From the tragedy of dying to the tragedy of having a video online,” actress Keke Palmer shared on Instagram, referencing a video that appears to show the late rapper in the moments that took place. followed his assassination. “It’s all just tragic and I’m so sorry for all his family and everything he touched. Truly awful.
Rapper Ja Rule aired his grievances over Takeoff’s violent death on Twitterwriting, “this shit needs to STOP…sending love to friends and family.”
The Atlanta Falcons too released a statement on Twitter.
“Takeoff’s legacy lives on in Atlanta and around the world,” the team tweeted.
Born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Takeoff began performing with his uncle and fellow rapper Quavo, along with Offset, as Migos in 2008. The trio shot to fame with their 2013 single, “Versace.”
Their success only increased in 2016 with the release of their hit “Bad and Boujee”, which featured recording artist Lil Uzi Vert.
The single quickly became an internet sensation, spawning a slew of memes that played the lyrics “rain drop, drop top”.
The song received an even bigger boost after creator and “Atlanta” star Donald Glover dropped the single’s name during an acceptance speech at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.
“I really want to thank the Migos, not for being on the show, but for doing ‘Bad and Boujee,'” Glover said at the time. “Like it’s the best song ever.”
Takeoff and Quavo recently formed the duo “Unc & Phew” and released their debut album, “Only Built for Infinity Links,” on October 7.
The music video for their song “Messy” was released on Monday.
During a recent conversation on the “Drink Champs” podcast days before his death, Takeoff received praise for his outstanding performance on the new project.
“Time to pop it, you know what I mean? It’s time to give me my flowers, you know what I mean?, Takeoff said. “I don’t want them later when I’m not around.”
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