Chicago rapper Lil Durk is set to appear in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles on Thursday for an arraignment on murder-for-hire charges, following his arrest in Miami three weeks ago. Durk, whose real name is Durk Davontay Banks, is accused of paying five associates from his South Side rap group “Only the Family” to kill a rival artist. The hired men allegedly traveled to Los Angeles in August 2022 and opened fire on the rival’s vehicle, resulting in the death of his cousin.
Banks has been held without bond in a Florida federal lockup since his October 24 arrest as he attempted to flee to Italy. He was transported to Los Angeles and is scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. California time, where he is expected to request bond. Federal prosecutors are pushing for Banks to remain in custody, citing his flight risk and danger to the community.
The charges stem from an ongoing feud between rival rapper groups from Chicago. Banks is also accused of offering money and music opportunities to anyone who would kill Quando Rondo, a Georgia-based rapper, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his friend, rapper King Von.
The indictment outlines how Banks’ associates tracked and attempted to kill Quando Rondo near a gas station in West Hollywood in August 2022, but only his cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was killed. After the shooting, Banks released a song that referenced the incident, further tying him to the plot.
Banks faces charges including conspiracy, murder-for-hire, and firearms violations, which could lead to a life sentence if convicted. His associates, arrested in Chicago, also face charges and are being held without bond. The indictment highlights how the group tracked Rondo’s movements, followed him to various locations, and ultimately carried out the shooting.
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