Chicago rapper Lil Durk was arrested on October 24, 2024, just days after being honored with the Keys to the Villages of Broadview and Bellwood in recognition of his contributions to these communities.
The rapper, from Chicago, who was arrested by US Marshals on Thursday is being detained at the Broward County Correctional Facility in Florida without the possibility of posting bail and is awaiting extradition to California to face his federal charge.
His arrest is reportedly connected to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a Robinson, cousin of rapper Quando Rondo, which authorities believe was a retaliation for the death of King Von, a close associate of Durk and a member of his OTF (Only The Family) crew.
According to the indictment, Durk allegedly incentivized the retaliation by offering both financial rewards and potential music career opportunities to those willing to target Rondo.
This led to the fatal shooting of Robinson on August 19, 2022, during an attack at a gas station in West Hollywood where Rondo, his sister, and Robinson were present. Rondo and his sister were unharmed, but Robinson was tragically shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries.
Durk and five other OTF members now face charges of murder-for-hire and the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a murder. These charges carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment and the potential for a death sentence.
The current arrest is not Lil Durk’s first encounter with the law; he previously faced five felony counts arising from his alleged involvement in a February 2019 shooting. In May 2019, he surrendered to police and was charged with attempted murder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a felony, and gang activity.
The charges were later dropped. The musician’s attorney, Manny Arora, told FOX 5 Atlanta: “For some reason they decided that Mr. Banks was involved since some of the people he affiliated were involved in the shooting. We strongly denied that.” A motion to dismiss charges filed on October 17, 2022, said: “The facts of this case have been reviewed and although probable cause existed for the defendants arrest, the decision at this time is not to prosecute.”
This case adds to a growing list of high-profile criminal charges faced by American rappers, including Atlanta rapper Young Thug, who is currently on trial for racketeering charges under the RICO Act.
