Kirsnick Khari Ball, known professionally as Takeoff, was a 28-year-old African American male and a member of the Grammy-nominated hip-hop trio Migos. On November 1, 2022, Takeoff was tragically shot and killed outside a bowling alley in downtown Houston, Texas. The incident occurred in the early morning hours at 810 Billiards and Bowling, located at 1210 San Jacinto St. Takeoff was attending a private event hosted by J. Prince Jr., the son of Rap-A-Lot founder J.
Prince, along with his uncle and fellow Migos member, Quavo. According to police reports, Takeoff was an innocent bystander in a crowd of people when the shooting took place. The confrontation that led to his death involved an argument over a dice game between Quavo and two young Black men, identified as Michael Prince and another individual. Multiple people fired guns during the altercation, resulting in Takeoff's fatal injuries. Two other individuals were also injured in the shooting but survived.
The investigation into Takeoff's death led to the arrest of 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark, who was charged with murder on December 2, 2022. Clark, an African American male, was identified as the shooter through surveillance footage and fingerprints found on a wine bottle he was holding during the incident. Detectives believe that Clark's gunfire was responsible for Takeoff's death based on the direction he was seen firing on the surveillance video. Following the shooting, Clark reportedly searched for information about the case, including his own name and age. He also purchased plane tickets to Mexico and applied for an expedited passport two days before his arrest, leading prosecutors to believe he was attempting to flee the country. At the time of his arrest, officers found a large amount of cash on Clark. He posted a $1 million bond on January 5, 2023, and was placed under house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor.
The legal proceedings against Patrick Xavier Clark have been ongoing. In May 2023, a grand jury formally indicted Clark on a murder charge. Clark's attorney has maintained his client's innocence, arguing that the indictment was based on a minimal standard of proof and expressing confidence that a jury would find Clark not guilty when presented with all the evidence. As part of his bond conditions, Clark was initially required to remain under house arrest, but a judge later modified these conditions, allowing him to leave his house with a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Clark is also required to submit to drug and alcohol testing, remain within the Harris County area, and avoid contact with witnesses, victims, and family members of Takeoff, including J. Prince Jr. and Shakur Stevenson. The court has prohibited Clark from coming within 200 feet of any residential, educational, or employment facilities, or any other location near the bowling alley where Takeoff was shot.
The tragic death of Takeoff has had a profound impact on his family, friends, and fans. As a member of Migos, Takeoff was known for his contributions to the group's success, including their chart-topping single "Bad and Boujee" and their critically acclaimed albums. His untimely death has sparked conversations about gun violence and the need for increased safety measures at public events. The case against Patrick Xavier Clark continues to unfold, with the next court appearance scheduled for January 2024.
