through Twitter/Patrick Xavier Clark
Members of Houston’s rap neighborhood stated they had been in disbelief Friday after a widely known native promoter, who ran a strip membership and had a big social media presence, was arrested and charged with the homicide of Migos rapper Takeoff.
Simply over a month after Takeoff was gunned down following a non-public social gathering at a Houston leisure venue, police introduced Friday that they'd arrested Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, on a homicide cost.
Takeoff, 28, was an “harmless bystander” who was shot twice—together with as soon as within the head—after an argument that stemmed from a “profitable cube recreation,” police stated Friday.
“We misplaced a very good man,” Police Chief Troy Finner stated. “A whole lot of individuals I talked to spoke to what a terrific particular person he was.”
Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, is charged with the homicide of Takeoff.
Houston Police
Rapper Jmali informed The Each day Beast on Friday that he and lots of others had been “shocked” by Clark’s arrest, calling him a beloved promoter who ran The Flame HTX, a strip membership that Clark posted about commonly on social media to his 20,000-plus followers.
Jmali stated Clark was identified round Houston as “DJ Pat.” He by no means knew Clark to be the violent sort, theorizing that if the 33-year-old did have a gun on the night time of Takeoff's dying, that no matter ensued will need to have been an accident.
“You possibly can see by the reactions of everybody that we’re shocked as a result of that is not the kind of particular person [Clark] is,” Jmali informed The Each day Beast. “...He was about enterprise, not violence.”
Jmali referred to as your complete state of affairs “unlucky,” including that Friday's information was utterly surprising for a lot of in his circle.
“Pat was just like Takeoff in that he was quiet and simply went about his enterprise,” Jmali stated. “That’s why that is so shocking to everybody right here.”
Clark’s social media accounts present that he carried on like typical within the days after Takeoff's dying. He posted on Halloween—the day of the capturing—to “meet me on the membership.” Then, on Nov. 2, he tweeted, “God acquired me he been had me.” On Nov. 8, he wrote, “Been harm so many occasions it’s arduous for me to really feel love!!” adopted the subsequent day with, “I ain’t excellent I’m strong tho.”
The identical went for the Instagram account for The Flame HTX, which Jmali stated was run by Clark.
Others near Clark stated they felt he was being “framed” for the homicide.
“I do know him. He isn't like that. I truthfully really feel like they acquired the flawed man,” stated one pal who knew Clark from his strip membership. “He doesn’t get mad or hostile. He’s very good and considerate. That’s all I've to say. I really feel he's being framed.”
The pal, who spoke on situation of anonymity, stated Clark wouldn't shoot somebody as a result of he “would not jeopardize dropping every thing he labored so arduous for.”
In a movement to disclaim Clark bail, cops wrote Friday that the 33-year-old had not too long ago booked flights to Mexico and ordered an expedited passport. This, cops wrote, made him a flight threat.
Members of the family of Clark didn't return messages from The Each day Beast, however one relative informed a Beast reporter, “He’s a very good child, however I've no remark apart from that.”
Simply hours earlier than the capturing on Halloween, the membership posted a promotion for a celebration that night time. Then, on Nov. 2, it posted an impromptu advert that the membership was hiring new dancers.
Cameron Joshua, 22, is charged with felony possession of a weapon.
Houston Police
A second particular person, 22-year-old Cameron Isiah Joshua, was arrested final week for allegedly carrying a weapon illegally on the social gathering at 818 Billiards and Bowling.
Police stated safety footage captured Joshua with a weapon however prosecutors had been adamant he didn’t kill Takeoff, saying the cost of unlawfully carrying a weapon was “applicable.”
A video of Takeoff's last seconds alive confirmed him hanging out alongside his uncle and groupmate, Quavo, as Quavo argued about basketball earlier than a barrage of gunshots rang out.
Police stated Friday that Takeoff was not concerned within the argument or the cube recreation. “Mistaken place on the flawed time,” Finner stated. “No proof to say something completely different.”
Earlier than pictures had been fired, a person wearing all black could possibly be seen within the video holding, after which drawing, a gun. Houston Police informed The Each day Beast in November that the person was an individual of curiosity however didn't establish him. It’s unclear if that man was Clark.
Regardless of video and pictures of the incident going viral, public updates on the investigation into who fired the pictures that killed Takeoff and injured two others—together with Quavo’s 23-year-old assistant Joshua “Wash” Washington—dried up.
Finner stated Friday that officers struggled to get info as a result of witnesses fled the scene and weren’t obtainable to provide statements to police.
He stated Clark was pinned down because the suspected killer after hoards of forensic proof was collected, and dozens of cellphone movies from the night time.
Takeoff was an harmless bystander, police confirmed.
Rebecca Sapp/Getty
Takeoff’s whereabouts had been effectively documented on Instagram on his last night time. He was seemingly bouncing round Houston with Quavo and Jas Prince, who was celebrating his birthday. One submit confirmed the group in Fifth Ward, a Houston neighborhood, round 9:30 p.m., quickly adopted by posts at a non-public social gathering at 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston.
The capturing occurred exterior the venue at round 2:30 a.m., Finner stated. An 810 Billiards spokesperson stated it occurred exterior its doorways after closing.
Offset, who’d damaged away from Migos to carry out solo, paused his exhibits as individuals worldwide mourned Takeoff.
Offset and Takeoff had reportedly been at odds with one another when he left the group, however he later stated he was in “insufferable” ache after the capturing.
“I want I might hug you one final time,” he wrote. “Snort one final time. Smoke one final time. Carry out one final time…I like you ceaselessly, 4L and after.”
Earlier Friday, Offset performed his first present since Takeoff’s dying, acting at Miami membership E11EVEN as Artwork Basel kicked off.
The rapper, who’s actual identify is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, devoted his efficiency to Takeoff.
“We're doing this for my brother,” Offset reportedly informed the group. “For Takeoff, let’s do that shit.”