Murder Trial For Man Accused Of Killing Atlanta Migos Rapper Takeoff Set To Begin In November

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on November 5, 2026, in the murder trial of Patrick Xavier Clark, the man accused of fatally shooting Migos rapper Takeoff nearly four years ago.

Clark, 36, faces a single count of murder stemming from the November 1, 2022, shooting outside a downtown Houston bowling alley. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on a $1 million bond while awaiting trial.

New Ballistics Review Granted

In recent court developments, state District Judge Josh Hill granted a defense motion allowing an independent ballistics expert to examine the physical evidence. Clark’s legal team requested the review to analyze the firearm and bullets recovered from the scene, aiming to challenge the prosecution’s forensic timeline. Defense attorneys have previously hinted that they may argue self-defense, claiming Clark fired his weapon only after gunfire erupted from another source.

An Innocent Bystander

The fatal incident occurred outside 810 Billiards & Bowling following a private party. According to investigators from the Houston Police Department, an argument broke out over a high-stakes dice game involving Takeoff’s uncle and fellow Migos group member, Quavo.

Authorities have consistently maintained that Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was not involved in the gambling or the dispute. Surveillance footage and ballistics data led prosecutors to allege that Clark was holding a wine bottle in one hand and a firearm in the other, firing into the crowd as he retreated. Takeoff was struck in the head and torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 28 years old.

If convicted of murder, Clark faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Successful Rap Career Cut Short

Takeoff was best known as the youngest member of the influential, Grammy-nominated Atlanta Hip-Hop trio Migos.

Alongside his uncle Quavo and close friend Offset, Takeoff grew up in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and helped shape the sound of modern Hip-Hop with the group’s signature rapid-fire, triplet-style flow. He was widely admired by fans and music critics as the quiet, lyrical anchor of the group.

Career and Musical Legacy

Takeoff formed the Polo Club in 2008 alongside Quavo and Offset, which they later renamed Migos. The group rose to mainstream prominence with their 2013 breakout mixtape single “Versace”. Migos went on to achieve massive global success, releasing multi-platinum albums and dominating the charts with major hits including:

• “Bad and Boujee” (which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100)
• “Stir Fry”
• “MotorSport”
• “Walk It Talk It”

In addition to his success with Migos, Takeoff released a solo album, The Last Rocket, in 2018.

Shortly before his death, he teamed up with Quavo as a duo to release the collaborative album Only Built for Infinity Links in October 2022.