HOUSTON — Rapper Takeoff died from gunshot wounds to his head and torso after a shooting outside a Houston bowling alley early Tuesday, an autopsy of the singer revealed on Wednesday.
The rapper, who was one-third of Migos, an Atlanta-based trio, was shot outside a private party at the downtown venue, WSB-TV reported. Two other people were hurt in the shooting.
The announcement, which followed an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston, stated that the rapper’s primary cause of death was caused by “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into (his) arm,” according to The Associated Press. His death was ruled a homicide.
Takeoff, 28, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was shot at about 2:30 a.m. CDT outside 810 Billiards & Bowling on San Jacinto Street.
Police confirmed to KHOU-TV that the party ended at 1 a.m., but it continued until 2 a.m. A group of about 40 people congregated outside the bar on the third floor after closing when the shooting began.
Ball grew up with fellow Migos rappers Offset (Quavopis Marshall) and Quavo (Kiari Cephus) in the same household in Lawrenceville, Georgia, located in Gwinnett County east of Atlanta, WSB reported.
[ Migos rapper Takeoff killed in Houston shooting ]
Ball was the youngest member of the group.
The band formed originally as Polo Club before changing its name to Migos, according to the television station. Their first breakout hit, “Versace,” was released in 2013, but the group’s biggest success followed their 2017 album, “Culture,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of best rap album. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 and featured Migos’ first No. 1 single, “Bad and Boujee,” which also was nominated for a Grammy in the category of best rap performance.
Marshall, who is married to Cardi B, released a solo album in 2019, while Ball and Cephus released the joint album “Only Built for Infinity Links” last month, according to the AP.
According to Houston police Chief Troy Finner, investigators want to speak with the 40 people who attended the party and fled after the gunfire, the AP reported.
The bowling alley is located in a three-story retail complex with high-end restaurants and a House of Blues, according to the news organization.
Migos’ record label, Quality Control, released a statement on Instagram, calling the rapper’s death “a monumental loss.”
“Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated,” the statement said. “Please respect his family and friends as we all continue to process this monumental loss.”