The long-awaited trial in the 2022 murder of Migos rapper Takeoff has finally been scheduled to begin in November 2026 in Houston, Texas, nearly four years after the fatal shooting that shocked the music world.
Prosecutors and defense teams are now preparing to present their cases after years of pre-trial motions, hearings, and delays.
Kirsnick Khari Ball, 28, known professionally as Takeoff, was one of the founding members of the influential hip-hop trio Migos.
On the night of November 1, 2022, he was attending a private gathering at 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston when violence erupted outside the venue following an argument reportedly linked to a high-stakes dice game.
Takeoff was not directly involved in that dispute and was described by authorities as an “innocent bystander” caught in the crossfire.
In the weeks after the shooting, Houston police identified Patrick Xavier Clark, a 33-year-old local DJ and event promoter who also goes by the nickname DJ Pat, as the prime suspect in the killing.
Law enforcement officers said surveillance footage showed Clark firing a weapon into the crowd while carrying a wine bottle, and later leaving the bottle behind.
Those fingerprints, along with phone records and video evidence, helped investigators place him at the scene.
A Harris County grand jury later indicted Clark on a murder charge, affirming his alleged role in Takeoff’s death.
Clark was arrested in early December 2022, roughly a month after the shooting, and detained on murder charges. Initially held on a $2 million bond, a judge later reduced it to $1 million, allowing Clark to post bail and be released from jail under strict conditions including house arrest and GPS monitoring.
Throughout pre-trial proceedings, Clark has maintained his innocence, with his defense team arguing that he has a legitimate claim of self-defense and attacking parts of the prosecution’s case.
At times, his lawyers have even sought resources, such as a judge-approved $5,000 allocation to hire a private investigator to support his defense strategy, underscoring how contentious and complicated the litigation has become.
While Clark is the only defendant charged with murder, at least one other individual, Cameron Joshua, was arrested and faces weapons-related charges connected to the same night.
Prosecutors clarified early on that Joshua is not suspected of actually firing the shot that killed Takeoff, though multiple people reportedly opened fire during the chaotic incident.
Takeoff’s death sent shockwaves through the music community and among fans worldwide. His contributions to Migos helped shape the sound of contemporary hip-hop, and his absence has been deeply felt by collaborators, friends, and family.
In the months following the tragedy, his uncle and fellow Migos member Quavo even performed a tribute at the 2023 Grammy Awards in honor of his late cousin.
As the November 2026 trial date approaches, both sides are expected to intensify preparations.
