Dramatic footage shows Migos member Quavo arguing with a group of people outside a Houston bowling alley moments before gunfire rang out killing Quavo’s nephew Takeoff, 28
- Rapper Takeoff, 28, was shot dead after leaving a ‘private party’ at a bowling alley in Houston, Texas, in the early hours of Tuesday morning
- New footage shows Takeoff’s uncle Quavo, 31, arguing with a group of people outside the bowling alley, while Takeoff stands in the crowd looking on
- The group begin to disperse and then a volley of gunfire rings out with at least 10 shots heard
- Horrifying pictures show Takeoff lying dead on the floor surrounded by a puddle of blood
- Houston police have launched a manhunt for the shooter or shooters involved in the incident and confirmed two firearms were used
- Medical examiners removed the body from the scene in downtown Houston on Tuesday afternoon
- Bella Hadid and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have led the outpouring of tributes to the Grammy-nominated star
- Two other people were rushed to hospital in private vehicles in the shooting – their condition is unknown
Dramatic new footage from Texas shows the uncle and bandmate of murdered Migos rapper Takeoff arguing with a group of people, shortly before gunshots ring out killing the 28-year-old.
Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday outside a bowling alley in downtown Houston.
The Grammy-nominated rapper had been at a private party with his uncle, Quavo, 31, where a group played dice.
Outside the 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston, Quavo was caught on camera in footage obtained by TMZ arguing with a group of people as a crowd gathers.
At one point, someone in the crowd – seemingly the man arguing with Quavo – can be heard saying: ‘Now listen, man – ain’t got to be disrespectful like that.’
Takeoff, pictured in a white t-shirt and black pants with his back to the camera, can be seen here before the fatal incident in Houston, looking on while the group argues
Horrifying footage shows the desperate last moments that Migos rapper Quavo, in the red t-shirt, desperately tried to help his nephew Takeoff after he was shot in the ‘head or neck’
Footage shows Takeoff lying dead on the floor, while Quavo – wearing a red top – rushes to his side and yells for someone to help
Video of the incident shows several women shouting to ‘get inside’, while another man can be heard saying ‘I’m scared for you bro’
Migos rapper Takeoff’s final photo, posted to Instagram before he was shot dead ‘over a game of dice’ in front of his uncle and bandmate Quavo outside a bowling alley in Texas
Quavo, Takeoff and Offset of the hip hop trio Migos. Quavo and Takeoff were in Houston on Monday night, where Takeoff was shot and killed. Offset was in New York with his girlfriend Cardi B and their children
Quavo replies with a line about basketball, saying: ‘Y’all seen me play basketball. Don’t play like that.’
Someone can be heard in the crowd saying: ‘Let it go, bro.’
The crowd begins to disperse, then seconds later gunshots ring out – seemingly from different directions.
Takeoff was shot in the ‘head or neck’ in the dispute.
Police confirmed that the artist died at the scene of the incident, and investigators have launched a manhunt for the shooter or shooters behind the attack.
Troy Finner, Houston police chief, said they believe the assailant was at the party with Takeoff, who he described as ‘very peaceful and loving’.
Authorities say they have ‘no reason to believe he was involved in anything criminal’ and confirmed that two firearms were used in the incident.
They are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward so they can apprehend his killer.
A 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were taken to hospital in private vehicles suffering from gunshot wounds, which are not thought to be life threatening.
Takeoff, 28, who is a member of the hip hop trio, was shot at a ‘private party’ as a group gathered outside 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston, in Texas, at 2.30am
Takeoff, 28, posed inside of the Texas bowling hall with a friend before he was shot at 2.30am on Tuesday morning
One fan visited the scene with a bunch of roses for the Grammy-nominated artist, looking distraught as authorities removed his body
Medical examiners removed the body from the scene in San Jacinto, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon
A picture from the scene reportedly shows Takeoff lying dead on the floor, just a few hours after he posted an Instagram story of him smoking
Officers remain on the scene and are investigating the cause of the fatal incident in the early hours
Officers confirmed that his mother had flown in to Houston to speak to them, with the police chief urging anyone with information or footage to come forward.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Finner said: ‘There were at least 40 people in that private party. Someone knows who the actual shooter or shooters are.
‘Anyone with that information should provide that information to us, and let us solve this situation, and bring justice to this family.
‘It doesn’t matter how famous you are, anybody who loses his or her life is a life lost.
‘It is personal. He’s well respected, non-violent. I would not expect him to be involved.
‘People need to stop just pulling the damn trigger, think and calm down a little bit, the bottom line is, and mark my words, we will find who is responsible.’
Friends and fans have slammed the ‘senseless violence’ of the killing, with tributes to the rapper pouring in.
One visited the scene with a bunch of roses for the Grammy-nominated artist, looking pensive as authorities removed his body.
Quavo, bandmate and uncle of Takeoff, was distraught as he knelt over his nephew moments after the shooting.
He can be heard screaming for help.
Police Chief Troy Finner described the incident as ‘personal’ before warning the shooter or shooters responsible that they would be apprehended
It is unclear if the ‘private party’ was a birthday celebration, but witnesses claim there were at least 40 to 50 people in attendance
Quavo, bandmate and uncle of Takeoff, looked distraught as he knelt over his nephew moments after the shooting
British rapper AJ Tracey paid tribute to Takeoff, as well as Russ Diemon – while Jake Paul called for ‘senseless’ killings to stop
Houston police confirmed that Takeoff was found dead at the scene at 1200 Polk, but would not initially confirm the identity of the deceased.
Officers added that there were 40 to 50 people at the location, when they discovered a man with a gunshot wound to the head or neck.
Security guards who were in the area heard the shooting but did not see who did it, according to police.
Dispatchers reportedly heard five shots fired, according to TMZ, with witnesses telling officers that they heard multiple gunshots and screaming.
Images from the scene reportedly show the rapper lying dead in a puddle of blood after being ‘shot in the head’ during the row.
The shooting came hours after he posted an Instagram story of him wearing the same outfit, along with a Playboi Carti song called ‘Stop Breathing’.
Two other victims were also rushed to hospital in a private vehicle, and it is unclear what their conditions are.
Rapper Takeoff of Migos performs at Rolling Loud festival at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Oakland, California
Bella Hadid and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have led the outpouring of tributes to the Grammy-nominated star
‘I’m in shock right now’: Tributes pour in from the music community as rapper Takeoff is shot dead
Tributes have come flooding in for Takeoff after the Migos rapper was shot dead ‘over a game of dice’ in front of his uncle and bandmate Quavo outside of a bowling alley in Texas on Tuesday.
As news of the shooting spread, friends and admirers of Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, took to Twitter to pay tribute.
Boxer Chris Eubank Jr said: ‘I remember @1YoungTakeoff being a very down to earth, cool dude. Cant believe I’m having to say this again about another young black star being killed for no reason, something really has to change in the industry, it’s sickening how easy & often people are dying. RIP Takeoff’.
Rapper Ugly God wrote: ‘do y’all not realize these n***** changed the whole cadence of rap when they came out? rip Takeoff. this man has been staying out the way, keeping it minimal, and minding his own buisiness since the beginning. If that’s not enough to be left alone, then idk.’
Reality star Claudia Johnson tweeted: ‘Sad & senseless. He was a bystander & got shot. We gotta do something about everyone & they momma in Texas having guns! Especially reckless folk who can’t simply disagree with people-they have to resort to this! My deepest condolences to the whole family of Takeoff. Gone at 28.’
Fellow rapper Russ tweeted: ‘rip takeoff’ followed by a prayer emoji, while YouTuber Nikita Dragun tweeted a picture of Takeoff.
Yung Miami of City Girls, tweeted her shock, writing: ‘Damn takeoff’ with a string of broken hearts.
US rapper Almighty Jay commented on Takeoff’s Instagram: ‘Bro you was so laid back gang you didn’t deserve none of that bro. I just talked to you bro. That s*** hurt.’
Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, had joined his uncle Quavo for a game of dice before the shooting, witnesses and law enforcement sources told TMZ.
Footage from the scene show Takeoff lying on the floor, while Quavo rushes to his side.
A group started to gather around the injured rapper and tried to move him, but quickly lowered him to the ground as Quavo screamed for help.
Video of the incident shows several women shouting to ‘get inside’, while another man can be heard saying ‘I’m scared for you bro’.
Migos was founded by Takeoff in 2008 with his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset – who is married to Cardi B.
Offset, who was not in Houston with his father and cousin, was celebrating Halloween with Cardi B and their children.
Four hours before the shooting, Takeoff posted a picture of himself smoking at the bowling alley.
Quavo had also posted an Instagram story of himself driving around Houston with Jas Prince, who was celebrating his birthday.
It is unclear if the ‘private party’ was a celebration for Prince, but witnesses claim there were at least 40 to 50 people in attendance.
A representative for Migos has confirmed that Takeoff was shot dead in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Bella Hadid and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have led the outpouring of tributes to the Grammy-nominated star.
Jemele Hill said you ‘barely have time to recover’ before someone else is killed, as Jake Paul called for ‘senseless killings’ to stop.
Singer and actress Keri Hilson wrote: ‘Rest In Peace, @1YoungTakeoff. Healing love to your brothers, family, & friends. #gonetoosoon’.
Earlier this month, Takeoff and Quavo joined forces in their debut as a duo with their album ‘Only Built for Infinity Links’.
While there have been whisperings of the Atlanta rap trio Migos splitting up for good, there had been no official announcement of their disbandment.
Instead, Takeoff and Quavo released ‘Only Built for Infinity Links,’ without third member Offset.
Most recently, Quavo and Takeoff had released a project as the duo, ‘Unc & Phew’ and released their latest music video, ‘Messy,’ on Monday – hours before the killing.
Quavo had also posted an Instagram story of himself driving around Houston with Jas Prince, who was celebrating his birthday hours before the shooting
Singer and actress Keri Hilson paid tribute to the rapper as well as boxer Chris Eubank Jr
Takeoff’s cousin and bandmate Offset is married to Cardi B, but the rapper and his uncle, Quavo released a track without the third member – sparking questions over their future
Earlier this month, Takeoff and Quavo joined forces in their debut as a duo with their album ‘Only Built for Infinity Links’
The group’s 2018 Migos album Culture II debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.
This marked their second US number-one album following Culture, which featured their smash hit Bad And Boujee.
The family connection is strong within Migos, as Quavo and Offset are cousins, while Takeoff is Quavo’s nephew.
The group released their first mixtape, Juug season, in 2011, and a second one called No Label in 2012.
In 2013, Migos had their first hit, Versace. While the single peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, it gained a new lease on life when Drake remixed the song and added a verse of his own, even going so far as performing it at the iHeartRadio Music Festival that year.
In June of that year, Migos released their Y.R.N mixtape, which featured Versace.
The following year, the group released a sequel to their No Label mixtape called No Label II.
The mixtape was a huge hit and has been downloaded nearly one million times and certified double platinum by DatPiff.
The group, which has earned two Grammy nominations, released its first album, Yung Rich Nation in June 2015, which peaked at Number 3 on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart.
How hip hop artist Takeoff grew up in the same house as his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset before the trio decided to form rap group Migos helping him build a $26million fortune
By Tom Brown
News of rapper Takeoff’s death has shocked the world of hip hop, with his closest family holding him above a pool of blood after he was shot in the ‘head or neck’ in a dispute over ‘a game of dice’ this morning.
His last desperate last moments came after an incredible family story where the three Migos, who grew up together in the mid 2000s, would go from dropping out of Berkmar High School to building a $26million fortune.
Takeoff, born Kirshnik Khari Ball on the 18th of June 1994, never knew his father, who walked out when he was just a kid. His earliest memories are of his uncle Quavo, born Quavious Keyate Marshall, and his cousin Offset, or Kiari Kendrell Cephus.
Before the rapping trio were making records together, they were a family, with the three members growing up under one roof in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
The family moved across Georgia from Athens to Gwinett when Takeoff was in elementary school and Quavo, who is three year’s older than his nephew and a year older than his cousin, was in middle school.
After the move, all three began living under the roof of Quavo’s mother, Latabia Woodward, who worked as a hairdresser to look after the three boys.
‘I don’t look at [Quavo] as my uncle, but more as my brother. But we always have clowned on each other,’ Takeoff explained in an interview with The Fader in 2013. ‘He is my uncle, so I gotta clown on him. You gotta be funny.’
Starting from seventh grade, Takeoff was the one who wanted to start taking rapping seriously. He approached his uncle in 2009 about forming the group that would go on to become Migos.
The trio of rhymers formed as the Polo Club and dropped their first mixtape, Juung Season, in 2011, when Quavo was in 10th grade. They would later rebrand as Migos.
Described as monotone in interviews, Takeoff’s voice came to life in the studio booth — a memory of him that remains the sharpest after his death on November 1.
Takeoff’s father left the family when Kirshnik was in the kindergarten age. The rapper, who was killed on November 1, never knew him
Offset, who Quavo described as ‘the most different one’, was never one for growing out his dreadlocks like the other two, cutting them off whenever they got too long.
‘Offset is fam. He’s been around us every since 6th grade,’ said Quavo. ‘We got him to rap in high school.’
At the time of his death, Takeoff had been growing his dreads out for years. His mom — Quavo’s older sister — was always his hairdresser.
‘He likes to work and mind his business,’ his mother said about her son when fans tracked down her Twitter account in 2018, according to Sandra Rose. ‘He doesn’t like to be involved in a lot of things, he just likes to make good music for the people.’
But it was Atlanta where the group sowed the seeds that grew their fame. They described back-to-back nights with DJs, consistently having songs on rotation so that their music and faces became recognized.
The trio would go through around seven songs per day in a relentless schedule, even leaving homework for each other before starting a session.
By the time he was in middle school he was living under the same roof as his uncle Quavo, three years his senior. The two are pictured together attending the 2nd Annual Black Ball at Fox Theater on June 1 in Atlanta
‘You gotta have fun with a song, make somebody laugh,’ said Takeoff. ‘You gotta have character. A hard punchline can make you laugh, but you gotta know how to say it.’
Takeoff was known as the most silent member of the band, are rarely gave interviews.
He’s kept any potential love interests a secret, apart from the time that stripper London Dallaz posted a picture of the two of them in bed together.
Migos have a fifteen minute rule, stopping the performance then and there before playing it back to see how it sounds.
‘When you drop a song and wake up in the morning and hear the song you dropped last night, that’s the best feeling. The song will tell you then,’ said Quavo.
Offset, Quavo and Takeoff of Migos arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) in 2018
They had their first break in 2013 with Versace, a track that went on to be remixed by Drake, propelling their first full-length album Y.R.N into the spotlight a few years later.
Justin Bieber posted a short video of himself rapping along, sending their popularity soaring.
The group became steady regulars on the hip hop scene since, working alongside high-profile artists like Drake, Katy Perry, and Cardi B — who Offset went on to marry.
But the group never forgot family. In 2017, Takeoff and Quavo bought a house for Quavo’s mom Edna Marshall, according to XXL Mag.
‘ME and Take Jus Bought Mama A House!!! Tha Big Way!!!’ Quavo Tweeted at the time.
In 2017, Takeoff and Quavo bought a house for Quavo’s mom Edna Marshall
But Migos wasn’t without its issues. Offset was locked up in Georgia’s DeKalb County Jail for violating his probation received due to prior felony convictions for burglary and theft in 2013.
A series of legal issues plagued the trio as time went on. Offset was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Atlanta in 2016, whereas Takeoff was asked to leave a flight from Atlanta to Des Moines a year later, and the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany sued the group for allegedly inciting a riot at a performance where six people were stabbed.
Around this time, Takeoff began working on his own solo projects, according to his mother. The three Migos were finally drifting apart.
Rumors of a breakup were sparked when Takeoff was absent from an AMAs award for Favorite Duo/Group in the Pop/Rock category in 2018.
In the same year, Takeoff’s launched his first solo project called The Last Rocket.
Takeoff and Quavo of Migos perform onstage during the 2022 ONE MusicFest at Central Park on October 08
As the years went on, Quavo seemed most likely to spark a solo career when he was featured on DJ Khaled’s ‘No Brainer’.
In May 2022, Offset and Cardi B unfollowed the other members of the group on Instagram.
Offset was preparing to drop his sophomore studio record on November 11, when news of Takeoffs death broke headlines on November 1.
Despite the rumors, the group kept stayed close even when working on their own projects.
‘We always family, that ain’t gonna change,’ Takeoff told the Big Facts Podcast a month before the shooting.
The last Migos album, Culture III, was released in June 2021. It will be their last as a trio.
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