Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Changer, the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks and a slew of other prominent organizations and individuals are mourning Migos rapper Takeoff following a fatal shooting in Houston.
“I mourn that such frivolous violence has ended your life,” the Rev. Bernice King, the center’s CEO, said in a social media post. “My heart goes out to Takeoff’s family and to all who are devastated by his death. We have a lot of work to do in transforming the culture of violence into a culture of community awareness and care.”
The Center’s social media account also posted a message of sympathy.
“Kirshnik Khari Ball (birth name) was killed over a dice game, his life snuffed out during a frivolous dispute,” it read. “28 years-old. We are praying for his family and all who are mourning. And we are committed to transforming our communities.”
The Atlanta area artist died early Tuesday following a shooting outside a bowling alley in Houston, the Associated Press has confirmed. He was 28.
Police responded to reports of a shooting at 810 Billiards & Bowling around 2:30 a.m. early Tuesday. Dozens of people had gathered on a third-floor balcony outside of the bowling alley, police said. Officers discovered a deceased male on the scene.
A police spokesperson said security guards in the area heard a shooting but did not identify the alleged shooter. Two other people were injured and hospitalized following the incident, though no details have been revealed on the nature of their injuries or their current statuses.
Takeoff’s fans, famous and otherwise, have been sharing condolences and memories.
“Saddened by the news of losing Takeoff,” NFL great Emmitt Smith said in a social media post that included a video clip of the two of them. “Wow gone too soon. #StopTheViolence.”
Several commenters have noted other situations involving other rappers. Chicago rapper King Von was shot to death outside an Atlanta nightclub in November 2020. Rapper Trouble was shot to death in Rockdale County in June. Archie Eversole, known for his 2002 hit “We Ready” that was adopted by fans and is sung before each of the Major League Soccer club’s home matches, was shot in April in DeKalb County and died after about a week in the hospital.
Atlanta’s own Slutty Vegan took to Instagram to share a touching message on the Georgia native’s passing.
“Rest In Peace to one of our own... 1/3 of The Migos, condolences to his family, and everyone who has been affected by gun violence,” the post said.
“Heartbroken that another street griot’s been taken away from us too soon,” Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall said on Twitter. “Prayers to the family, friends and fans of TakeOff.”
As the news continues to spread, so does the fan outcry over this death.
“Takeoff, man... Offset lost a brother he’ll never get to fix things with. For nothing,” one Twitter user posted. “Quavo lost his nephew. For nothing. Rap lost a good one. For nothing. All this bloodshed. For nothing. It’ll never make sense. Never ever. Rest in Peace. Prayers to the family of the fallen.”
Just weeks prior to his death, Takeoff and his Migos counterpart Quavo released their debut record “Only Built for Infinity Links.”
Many fans chose to post their favorite media memories of the late rapper.
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