LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Takeoff of Migos performs onstage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
Multiple reports, including confirmation by inside sources, say rapper Takeoff has passed away. Takeoff, real name Kirsnick Khari Ball, was 28 years old and one-third of the hit rap group Migos.
The artist was in Houston with fellow Migos rapper and his uncle Quavo on November 1 when the killing occurred. Authorities received a call after 2:30 a.m. local time about a man shot at 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston.
According toTMZ,Takeoff and Quavo were engaged in a dice game when an altercation began. At some point during the disagreement, someone opened fire, and Takeoff was shot in or near the head, per TMZsources. Officials pronounced the 28-year-old dead on the scene.
Gruesome video footage online shows Takeoff lying on the venue floor with blood pooling underneath his head. A distressed Quavo and others surrounding Takeoff attempted to move his body.
However, seemingly at the urging of someone nearby, they decide to leave the young artist on the ground. Quavo paces and yells his nephew’s name and the words “please” and “no.”TMZlater obtained footage of Quavo seeking instructions from a 911 operator as a young woman nearby offered her assistance.
At this time, reports say Quavo did not sustain any injuries, however, bullets reportedly hit two additional people. Private vehicles transported the injured people to the hospital. The extent of their injuries remains unknown.
About an hour before the 911 call, Takeoff shared a photo of himself to his Instagram Story–confirming his presence at the bowling alley. A series of text messages allege that Quavo was the person engaged in the dice game with Takeoff sitting nearby. However, The Shade Roomcannot confirm the validity of the texted account at this time.
Local police have yet to announce any suspects or arrests in the case.
Takeoff departs us in the thick of turning a leaf in his career. Migos was put on pause with the trio transforming into theUnc & Phewduo. Their debut album Only Built For Infinity Links was released less than a month ago on October 7. Drink Champs’ N.O.R.E recently gave the artist flowers for his performance on the project.
“It’s time to pop it, you know what I mean? It’s time to give me my flowers, you know what I mean,” Takeoff responded. “I don’t want them later on when I ain’t here.”
