Takeoff shooting as it happened: Houston nurse opens up about seeing Migos star unconscious
Takeoff, a member of rap trio Migos, was shot dead in Houston, Texas on Tuesday (1 November).
The rapper – full name Kirshnik Khari Ball – was 28 years old.
Police officers were called at approximately 2.34am local time (7.34am GMT) about a shooting outside of 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley in downtown Houston, where a private party of around 40 people was taking place.
Takeoff and his Migos bandmate Quavo were both in attendance. Quavo – real name Quavious Keyate Marshall – was not injured in the altercation. The third Migos member, Offset, was not present.
An argument emerged, reportedly after a game of dice, and shots were fired. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death has been mourned by industry figures and fans, with tributes for the late rapper pouring in on social media.
Celebrities including James Corden, Drake, SZA, Outkast, and Khloé Kardashian have shared posts remembering the rapper.
As of yet, no suspects have been arrested with Houston police chief Troy Finner calling on witnesses to “step up” with information about the shooting.
The police, as well as fans of the rapper, have urged others to remove graphic videos of the incident that have been circulating online.
KEY POINTS
What Houston police have said about the fatal incident
In one of his final interviews, Takeoff said he wanted to be recognised for his work
Police Chief says they have ‘no reason’ to believe Takeoff was ‘involved in anything criminal'
Takeoff’s lawyer calls his death a ‘devastating loss, particularly for Atlanta’
Takeoff shooting: Coroner’s report reveals Migos rapper was shot multiple times
Wednesday 2 November 2022 17:00 , Annabel Nugent
In a 2021 interview with NME, Takeoff reflected on the death of Juice WRLD.
The rapper, who collaborated with Migos on their 2021 album Culture III, died aged 21 in December 2019.
His contribution to the record was posthumous.
Speaking about his death, Takeoff said: “I had a conversation with him on the phone. He’s a good person.”
His bandmate Offset continued: “He did a few songs and he has the same passion as us in music. He goes straight in there and doesn’t like to play around in the studio. Off the top like he is, he lets it come to him but he’s a great artist man. Bro was hard.”
Everything the Houston police have said about the fatal incident
Wednesday 2 November 2022 17:15 , Annabel Nugent
Houston police called a press conference on Tuesday (1 November) to speak about the shooting that killed Takeoff.
During the conference, police chief Troy Finner revealed several key details about the tragic event.
Police officers said they were called at approximately 2.34am local time (07.34 GMT) about a shooting outside 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley in downtown Houston where a private party of around 40 people, including Takeoff and Quavo, had been taking place.
Everything we know after Migos rapper Takeoff shot and killed
An argument emerged and shots were fired from at least two weapons, said the police, which led to many people fleeing the scene.
Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, officials did not name the victim but identified him as a Black male in his 20s. It was Takeoff’s representatives who first confirmed his death, with the police confirmation following shortly after.
Two other individuals – a 23-year-old male and a 24-year-old female – were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In saying so, police appeared to confirm that Quavo was not injured during the altercation given that he is 31 years old.
Offset changes Instagram avatar to photo of Takeoff
Wednesday 2 November 2022 18:23 , Tom Murray
Offset has paid a subtle tribute to his late Migos bandmate on Instagram.
The rapper changed his profile photo on the social media platform to one of Takeoff on Wednesday (2 November).
Neither he nor Migos’ third member, Quavo, has commented verbally on their friend’s passing.
Read more:
Offset changes Instagram avatar to image of Takeoff after Migos bandmate’s death
James Corden pays tribute to Takeoff during ‘The Late Late Show'
Wednesday 2 November 2022 19:26 , Tom Murray
The Late Late Show host James Corden paid special tribute to offset on his show.
The rapper had appeared with his Migos bandmates in Corden’s highly popular Carpool Karaoke segment in 2018.
“I was lucky enough to spend some unforgettable moments with Takeoff over the past few years,” Corden said.
“He was an incredible guy, warm and generous. Whenever I’d see him he’d always call me Big Drip and he knew how much I loved that.”
Read more:
James Corden says he’s ‘utterly devastated’ by Takeoff’s death
NEW: Takeoff’s cause of death confirmed in coroner’s report
Wednesday 2 November 2022 19:50 , Tom Murray
Certain media outlets have obtained a copy of Takeoff’s autopsy report, which confirms his cause of death by “penetrating gunshot wounds”.
The analysis by the Harris County Medical Examiner reveals that the rapper was shot multiple times.
Migos’ label Quality Control Music previously said that Takeoff was killed by a “stray bullet”.
Read more:
Coroner’s report reveals Migos rapper Takeoff was shot multiple times
Roddy Rich dedicates live performance to Takeoff
Wednesday 2 November 2022 21:30 , Tom Murray
Fellow rapper Roddy Rich dedicated a live rendition of his song “Die Young” to Takeoff at a concert last night.
“The sad reality of it is, that I’ve had to sing this in tribute to a lot of the n***** that I’ve known,” Rich told the crowd.
Roddy Ricch spoke on receiving the tragic news about Takeoff and dedicated his performance of “Die Young” to him🙏🏽🕊️#LongLiveTakeoff pic.twitter.com/H1pLHX1nPx
— Wave Check🌊 (@thewavecheckk) November 2, 2022
50 Cent says he paid tribute to Takeoff at show in Finland
Wednesday 2 November 2022 22:54 , Tom Murray
50 Cent has become the latest rapper to pay tribute to Takeoff.
The “In Da Club” artist tweeted a shot from his concert in Finland on Wednesday.
The photo shows Takeoff’s face projected on various screens around the stage.
“I paid tribute to Takeoff last night in Finland it was lit,” 50 Cent tweeted. “GLG. GreenLightGang. [World] tour let’s get it!”
I paid tribute to Takeoff last night in Finland it was lit 🔥GLG🚦GreenLightGang 🌏tour let’s get it! pic.twitter.com/IDlXQoE8g3
— 50cent (@50cent) November 2, 2022
Takeoff’s only solo studio album was released four years ago today
Wednesday 2 November 2022 23:33 , Tom Murray
Takeoff’s only studio album The Last Rocket was released four years ago today, RapTV pointed out on Twitter.
The album's release made Takeoff the second member of Migos to release a solo album, following Quavo's Quavo Huncho, which came out a month earlier.
The Last Rocket was met with widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Takeoff’s only studio album ‘The Last Rocket’ dropped 4 years ago today 🙏🕊 pic.twitter.com/ViEBh7xFqf
— RapTV (@Rap) November 2, 2022
Video of Quavo and Offset naming Takeoff the ‘best' Migos resurfaces
Thursday 3 November 2022 00:31 , Tom Murray
A 2018 interview with Migos for Beats Radio has resurfaced in the wake of Takeoff’s death.
In it, Quavo and Offset agree that Takeoff is the “best” member of the rap trio and that he was most rated in their hometown of Atlanta.
Quavo and Offset giving Takeoff his flowers as the best Migo 🕊 pic.twitter.com/6ANeawuicW
— regina (@regi_nacho) November 1, 2022
Desiigner had a highly emotional reaction to Takeoff’s death
Thursday 3 November 2022 01:29 , Tom Murray
New York rapper Desiigner broke down in tears on Instagram Live after learning of Takeoff’s death.
The “Panda” artist vowed to quit rap music for good over the killing, which occurred at a private party in Houston, Texas.
“Why? Why do we f***ing do this?” Desiigner yelled during the video.
Read more:
Desiigner says he's 'done with rap' as he tearfully mourns Takeoff's death
Takeoff’s cause of death officially ruled homicide
Thursday 3 November 2022 02:30 , Tom Murray
The Migos star’s cause of death was officially ruled a homicide in the coroner’s report obtained by media on Wednesday (2 November).
The autopsy revealed that Takeoff was shot several times and confirmed his cause of death was “penetrating gunshot wounds”.
Read more:
Coroner’s report reveals Migos rapper Takeoff was shot multiple times
Offset changes Instagram profile picture to image of Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 04:39 , Peony Hirwani
Offset has paid a subtle tribute to his late bandmate Takeoff after the rapper was shot and killed in Houston, Texas on Monday.
While Offset has yet to verbally comment on his friend’s passing, the rapper changed his profile photo on Instagram Wednesday (2 November) to one of Takeoff’s face.
Jaden Smith and Denzel Curry pay tribute to Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 05:25 , Peony Hirwani
Jaden Smith and Denzel Curry have paid tribute to Takeoff.
“Takeoff ain’t deserve that,” Curry wrote on Twitter on Wednesday (2 November).
Takeoff ain’t deserve that
— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 2, 2022
Smith added: “Rest In Peace Takeoff, This S*** Is Sad As F***.”
Photograph of Takeoff and Quavo as kids goes viral
Thursday 3 November 2022 05:45 , Peony Hirwani
A photograph of Takeoff and Quavo as kids has gone viral on social media.
Takeoff and Quavo as kids 💔🕊 pic.twitter.com/8hUm0B36w6
— RapTV (@Rap) November 1, 2022
LeBron James changes Instagram profile picture to image of Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 06:11 , Peony Hirwani
American basketball player LeBron James has paid tribute to Takeoff by changing his Instagram profile picture to the late rapper’s image.
Where is Quavo following fellow Migos rapper Takeoff’s death?
Thursday 3 November 2022 06:45 , Peony Hirwani
Following the news of Takeoff’s tragic death, worried fans have been wondering about the status of his fellow The Migos bandmate and uncle Quavo, who was present during the fatal incident.
According to Houston police, Quavo, who was present at the time of the incident, and Takeoff were at a private party prior to the fatal shooting.
In a following update, police tweeted: “Two other victims taken in private vehicles to hospitals.”
During a later press conference on Tuesday (1 November), the police chief said that a 23-year-old male and 24-year-old female brought themselves to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the incident.
The news seemingly verifies that 31-year-old Quavo was not among those injured, however, his status remains unknown.
Read more:
Where is Quavo following fellow Migos rapper Takeoff’s death?
50 Cent pays homage to Takeoff during Finland concert
Thursday 3 November 2022 08:30 , Peony Hirwani
50 Cent paid homage to Takeoff during his Finland concert on Wednesday (2 November).
I paid tribute to Takeoff last night in Finland it was lit 🔥GLG🚦GreenLightGang 🌏tour let’s get it! pic.twitter.com/IDlXQoE8g3
— 50cent (@50cent) November 2, 2022
Producer Metro Boomin pays tribute on Twitter
Thursday 3 November 2022 10:25 , Nicole Vassell
Metro Boomin, who produced Migos’s hit song “Bad and Boujee”, expressed his sadness over Takeoff’s death on Twitter.
“I can't even really put into words how bright and warming of a genuine soul he was,” reads part of his heartfelt tribute.
Long live my brother Take 💔😔🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/Bm8F6EFGxL
— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) November 2, 2022
Beyoncé dedicates her official website homepage to Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 11:22 , Nicole Vassell
Beyoncé has paid tribute to Takeoff by dedicating the homepage of her website to him.
Using a black-and-white image of the late rap star, the message reads: “Kirsnick Khari Ball, ‘Takeoff’, 1994 - 2022, Rest in Power.”
Migos have previously expressed their appreciation of Beyoncé, with Takeoff once claiming in an interview that they were “all in the Beyhive, most definitely”.
Offset updates Twitter images in homage to cousin and groupmate Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 12:06 , Nicole Vassell
Offset, one of the three members of Migos, has updated his Twitter header and profile picture to feature Takeoff.
Although neither Offset nor Quavo has publicly commented on their group mate’s death, Offset has made subtle tributes by changing his pictures on social media.
As well as being groupmates, Takeoff was Offset’s first cousin once removed, and Quavo’s nephew.
Los Angeles Lakers basketball team honours Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 13:47 , Inga Parkel
The Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is among the latest to honour Takeoff.
In preparation for last night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, it was “all Migos music for the Lakers warm up tonight in a tribute to Takeoff,” tweeted Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.
The Lakers were also team to former basketball player Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.
All Migos music for the Lakers warm up tonight in a tribute to Takeoff.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 3, 2022
A new mural in Takeoff’s honour has been painted in Atlanta
Thursday 3 November 2022 15:08 , Nicole Vassell
An underpass in Atlanta, Georgia is now home to a mural of Takeoff.
Takeoff was a native of Lawrenceville, a suburb of Atlanta, along with fellow Migos star Offset.
This Takeoff mural in Atlanta is so well done. Rest easy, legend. 🚀
(🎨: ape_inc/IG) pic.twitter.com/jAjKfgG1Ri— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) November 3, 2022
The mural is located under the John Lewis Freedom Parkway Bridge near Fourth Ward Park.
Video shows man with a gun at party where Takeoff was shot
Thursday 3 November 2022 18:13 , Tom Murray
A video obtained by TMZ appears to show a person of interest standing with a gun in his pocket moments before Takeoff was fatally shot.
The man is seen standing with a gun as Quavo, Takeoff’s bandmate, gets into an argument with someone.
The same individual can then be seen with the gun drawn before shots are heard.
Police are aware of the footage.
Watch here:
Person of interest filmed with a gun moments before Migos member Takeoff’s death
‘Now may you rest in perfect peace’: Nicki Minaj pays tribute to Takeoff
Thursday 3 November 2022 19:32 , Tom Murray
Nicki Minaj has become the latest rapper to pay tribute to Takeoff after his death.
The “Superbass” artist shared a photo of the Migos member on her Instagram Story Thursday (3 November).
She wrote in a caption: “Now may you rest in perfect peace.”
nicki minaj shares tribute honoring rapper takeoff on via instagram story🕊 pic.twitter.com/C0CyGte4s3
— JA (@sleezyjamie) November 3, 2022
Kanye West honours Takeoff in Twitter tribute
Thursday 3 November 2022 20:55 , Inga Parkel
Following the recent reinstatement of his Twitter account, Kanye West followed up his return by posting a photo in honour of Takeoff.
Alongside a picture of him and The Migos rap trio during the earlier release of his Donda 2 album, West wrote, “Love forever”, followed by a subsequent photo of Takeoff, Offset and Quavo, with the caption: “Family.”
LOVE FOREVER pic.twitter.com/bh0lLsqt9l
— ye (@kanyewest) November 3, 2022
Autopsy reveals Takeoff was shot more than once
Thursday 3 November 2022 23:43 , Tom Murray
Takeoff was shot multiple times, the coroner’s report confirmed.
The Harris County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death was “penetrating gunshot wounds” and ruled his death as a “homicide”.
Read more:
Artist’s tribute to Takeoff goes viral on TikTok
Friday 4 November 2022 00:54 , Tom Murray
Artist Rob The Original has gone viral for his astonishing portrait of the late rapper formed out of clothing.
A video of the creator finishing off the portrait has nearly two million views on TikTok at the time of writing.
@officialrobtheoriginal RIP TAKEOFF 🙏🏼🕊️ #riptakeoff #takeoff #migos #clothesart #robtheoriginal #quavo
♬ Last Memory - Takeoff
Offset pays tribute to Migos bandmate
Friday 4 November 2022 02:07 , Tom Murray
Offset and Quavo have yet to issue a full statement aftee the death of Takeoff.
However, Offset has paid a subtle tribute to his late Migos bandmate by changing the profile photos on his social media profiles to images of Takeoff.
Read more:
Offset changes Instagram avatar to image of Takeoff after Migos bandmate’s death
James Corden says he’s ‘utterly devastated’ by Takeoff’s death
Friday 4 November 2022 03:34 , Peony Hirwani
James Corden says he shared some “unforgettable moments” with Takeoff, and fondly remembered how the US rapper used to refer to him as “Big Drip”.
The host of the US programme The Late Late Show said the artist had “essentially willed Migos into existence” and that they had become “one of the most influential rap groups of this generation”.
Read more:
James Corden says he’s ‘utterly devastated’ by Takeoff’s death
Metro Boomin pays tribute to Takeoff
Friday 4 November 2022 04:41 , Peony Hirwani
Metro Boomin, who produced Migos’s hit song “Bad and Boujee”, expressed his sadness over Takeoff’s death on Twitter.
“I can’t even really put into words how bright and warming of a genuine soul he was,” reads part of his heartfelt tribute.
Long live my brother Take 💔😔🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/Bm8F6EFGxL
— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) November 2, 2022
Offset changes Instagram profile picture to image of Takeoff after Migos bandmate’s death
Friday 4 November 2022 07:30 , Peony Hirwani
ICYMI: Offset has paid a subtle tribute to his late bandmate Takeoff.
While Offset has yet to verbally comment on his friend’s passing, the rapper changed his profile photo on Instagram Wednesday (2 November) to one of Takeoff’s face.
Read more:
Offset changes Instagram avatar to image of Takeoff after Migos bandmate’s death
Autopsy reveals Takeoff was shot more than once
Friday 4 November 2022 07:48 , Peony Hirwani
Takeoff was shot multiple times, the coroner’s report confirmed.
The Harris County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death was “penetrating gunshot wounds” and ruled his death as a “homicide”.
Video shows man with a gun at party where Takeoff was shot
Friday 4 November 2022 08:30 , Peony Hirwani
ICYMI: A video obtained by TMZ appears to show a person of interest standing with a gun in his pocket moments before Takeoff was fatally shot.
The man is seen standing with a gun as Quavo, Takeoff’s bandmate, gets into an argument with someone.
The same individual can then be seen with the gun drawn before shots are heard.
Police are aware of the footage.
Watch here:
Friday 4 November 2022 09:22 , Peony Hirwani
Migos - made up of Takeoff, Offset and Quavo – grew up together in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Migos was formed in 2008. The trio originally called themselves the Polo Club.
The three members are directly related and were raised together; Quavo was Takeoff’s uncle, and Offset is Quavo’s cousin.
Which label was Takeoff signed to?
Friday 4 November 2022 10:25 , Peony Hirwani
Takeoff was signed to Quality Control.
In a statement shared on social media, the label said they were “devastated” by the “senseless violence”.
“It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the loss of our beloved brother Kirsnick Khari Ball, known to the world as Takeoff,” the statement read.
“Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated. Please respect his family and friends as we all continue to process this monumental loss.”
Quavo’s assistant reportedly shot in incident that killed Takeoff
Friday 4 November 2022 11:06 , Peony Hirwani
Quavo’s assistant Joshua “Wash” Washington was one of the two other people shot in the shooting that killed Takeoff, as per TMZ.
J Prince addresses Houston shooting incident that killed Takeoff
Friday 4 November 2022 12:00 , Peony Hirwani
J Prince has addressed the fatal shooting that killed Takeoff in Houston earlier this week.
“The Prince family would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of a beautiful soul,” he wrote on Instagram. “To Houstonians and families around the world, this one breaks my heart because Takeoff was a brother, a son, a role model, and God-loving human being.
“This shouldn’t have happened. This shouldn’t have ever happened in our city,” he continued. “This shouldn’t have been recorded, and this damn sure shouldn’t be circulating across social media for family, friends and fans to see. As I write this I’m angry about the lack of love and respect we have for one another as a race which keeps bringing us back to the same tragic place of Black on Black killing.
“They say satan is the author of confusion and right now there are a lot of lies and false narratives being spread by media whores,” he said. “I consider myself a man that’s quick to listen and slow to speak, therefore to whomever is responsible for putting that bullet in my little nephews head, let it be known that you can’t hide behind me, beside me or anywhere near me because I don’t tolerate dumb shit.
“To the homies in Georgia and around the world that got love for Takeoff like we do know this: let’s change the narrative in our culture by putting an end to every argument or disagreement resulting in violence,” he concluded. “It’s okay to live and let live to see another day. Rest in peace Takeoff.”
Fans leave tributes at place of shooting in Houston
Friday 4 November 2022 13:16 , Nicole Vassell
A Migos fan page has documented a visit to a memorial for Takeoff in Houston, Texas.
After the rap star was gunned down early on Tuesday (1 November), appreciators of his music have paid tribute in various ways, including a memorial in Atlanta.
Some have left flowers, candles and photos outside of 810 Billiards and Bowling in Houston, where the shooting took place.
An account named “ultimatemigos” posted footage from the memorial, with a caption that reads: “I swear Take, I promise to keep visiting you forever, I will keep coming back I won’t ever forget about you bro.”
Takeoff was ‘unconscious when nurse arrived at scene’
Friday 4 November 2022 14:33 , Nicole Vassell
A nurse who attended the scene of the Houston shooting that killed Takeoff has recalled the moments directly followed.
In a conversation with local news outlet Click2Houston, the health professional (who chose not to be identified) told of how she heard the commotion at 810 Billiards and Bowling from her home nearby.
Although she was not on duty, she attended the scene to see whether she could help.
“I could not have lived with myself if I knew I had the equipment to save his life and I didn’t,” she said.
Later in the report, she claimed that Takeoff had no pulse when she arrived and that she saw his eyes rolled back with a pool of blood behind his head.
He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Quavo and Offset maintain silence after groupmate’s death
Friday 4 November 2022 15:00 , Nicole Vassell
The two remaining members of Migos, Quavo and Offset, have yet to make official comments on Takeoff’s death.
With all three being relatives, they grew up together in and around Lawrenceville, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb.
The day before Takeoff’s death, he and Quavo had released the music video to their song “Messy” from their duo project, Only Built for Infinity Links.
Did Takeoff have any children?
Friday 4 November 2022 16:00 , Nicole Vassell
Takeoff – born Kirsnick Khari Ball – left behind no children.
He was unmarried and had no known significant other at the time of his death.
Second video shows another person of interest with a gun
Friday 4 November 2022 20:26 , Tom Murray
A second video obtained by TMZ shows another man holding a pistol in his hand.
The publication reports that the man in the video is a person of interest to the police.
In the video, Takeoff and Quavo can be seen involved in an argument before multiple gunshots ring out.
Mural artist says he wanted people to remember Takeoff smiling
Friday 4 November 2022 21:30 , Tom Murray
The artist behind a mural of Takeoff in downtown Atlanta spoke about the decision to paint the rapper without his signature sunglasses.
Speaking to TMZ, Armondo Monoletti said he worked through the night to get the mural completed with the few paints he had available.
He told the publication that he painted Takeoff without his sunglasses to humanise the rapper and with a smile for his fans to remember better times.
A Takeoff mural has been spotted in Atlanta. Rest In Peace 🙏🕊 pic.twitter.com/oPDtzZYOsQ
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) November 2, 2022