Lil Durk acquitted in murder-for-hire trial, but remains in custody

Durk Banks, his real name, was accused of orchestrating and financing an attack on rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman. The shooting, which occurred in August 2022 near the Beverly Center, resulted in the death of Saviay’a Robinson, a cousin of the intended target.

According to the prosecution, the operation was intended to avenge the death of rapper King Von, a close associate of Lil Durk, who was killed in Atlanta in 2020. Federal prosecutors argued that members of the collective Only the Family had tracked Quando Rondo before opening fire.

After three days of deliberations, the jury found Lil Durk not guilty of the charges against him, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and harassment resulting in death. The defense claimed that the attack was organized without his consent by other members of his entourage.

Two co-defendants were also acquitted of the main murder-for-hire charges but were found guilty of lesser charges related to harassment. Supporters of the rapper celebrated the verdict outside the federal courthouse in Los Angeles.

Awarded at the Grammy Awards in 2024 for “All My Life,” recorded with J. Cole, Lil Durk is not expected to be released immediately. He still faces separate charges of racketeering, murder, and weapons offenses in a trial set for October 5. He is presumed innocent in this second case until proven guilty.