Man charged with Takeoff’s homicide tried to flee the US, police say

The person accused of fatally taking pictures Migos rapper Takeoff final month allegedly appeared up find out how to safe faux airplane tickets to flee the US.

• READ MORE: How the understated Takeoff grew to become the true celebrity of Migos

Police and prosecutors declare that the suspect in Takeoff’s homicide, Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, sought info after his arrest on December 1 about utilizing faux tickets and acquiring an expedited passport. He additionally allegedly made repeated on-line searches about whether or not he was a suspect within the case.

The allegations, denied by Clark by his legal professionals, had been made in a courtroom listening to on Wednesday (December 15) and relayed in a report by Billboard.

Legal professionals for Clark declare that he by no means had any intention of leaving Houston, Texas, and that he’ll doubtless pursue self-defence within the case. Clark has asserted his innocence over the homicide cost, denying that he shot Takeoff (actual identify Kirsnick Khari Ball).

BOOKING PHOTO: Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, charged with the homicide of Kirshnik Khari Ball (Takeoff). #hounews

1/2 pic.twitter.com/jXxMrbt7fa

— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) December 2, 2022

“We really feel comfy that when the time is true that Mr. Clark can have a legitimate and meritorious declare for self-defence,” Letitia Quinones, one in every of Clark’s attorneys, stated after the listening to.

Quinones declined to provide any extra particulars to the press. She recommended throughout the listening to this week that Clark fired after somebody shot at him first, nonetheless, police declare that Clark fired the primary shot.

Takeoff, 28, was fatally shot within the head and again exterior a bowling alley at round 2.30am on November 1. Houston police stated that the gunfire adopted an argument over a “profitable” sport of cube exterior however that the rapper was not concerned and was “an harmless bystander”.

Sgt. Michael Burrow testified throughout Wednesday’s listening to that Clark’s cell phone confirmed that he had searched on-line for faux airplane tickets after his arrest. “It was my perception he was making ready to flee the nation,” Burrow stated.

In response to Clark’s authorized group, he had cancelled a beforehand scheduled journey to Mexico and that on the day of his arrest he’d been on the lookout for an condo to lease in Houston.

The suspect’s legal professionals additionally sought to have his bond lowered from $2million (roughly £1.6million) $100,000 (£82,000). Billboard studies that District Choose Josh Hill was initially hesitant to cut back Clark’s bond owing to believing that he could possibly be a flight danger.

Nevertheless, Hill agreed to cut back Clark’s bond to $1million (roughly £822,000) if further safety necessities could possibly be met. He added that he was pleased to contemplate decreasing it probably even additional subsequent week.

Police stated they’d recognized Clark by the usage of taking pictures reconstruction and ballistics proof in addition to cell phone and surveillance video footage that “surfaced over time”.

Two different individuals additionally sustained non-life-threatening accidents throughout the incident.

In the meantime, Offset lately paid tribute to Takeoff throughout his first stay live performance since his bandmate’s dying. “We’re doing this for my brother,” he informed the viewers in Miami, Florida.