CHICAGO, IL – JULY 13: (L-R) Ludacris and Chaka Zulu attend Michigan Avenue Magazine Celebrates Its Summer Issue with Ludacris at LondonHouse on July 13, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Michigan Avenue Magazine)
Ludacris’ manager Chaka Zulu is facing a murder charge, among others.
The arrest was connected to a June shooting in Atlanta that left a 23-year-old man dead, police say.
Zulu, who is touted as a community leader, was charged with murder and aggravated assault.
The manager of Grammy award-winning rapper Ludacris is facing multiple charges stemming from a summer shooting that left one dead, according to police.
Chaka Zulu, born Ahmed Obafemi, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and simple battery, per Atlanta Police Department records released Friday.
The charges are connected to a shooting that happened at a shopping center in Buckhead, Atlanta, in late June, WSB-TV reported.
Police said when officers arrived at the scene on June 26, three men, including Obafemi, were found with gun wounds. They were taken to the hospital, and one victim was later pronounced dead.
The victim was identified as 23-year-old Artez Benton, a college graduate who was working to become an electrician, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
His older sister Arteria Benton told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he and a group of friends were about to launch a clothing line called Cash Life Global.
“We just want justice for Artez,” she told the outlet. “That’s the main thing we want. So if you see something, say something please.”
Obafemi, a co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, is acknowledged by some as a leader in his community, per local news. He turned himself in last week, on September 13, according to police. He was released on a $200,000 bond.
In a statement posted to Obafemi’s official Instagram, his lawyer argued that his client was defending himself during the altercation and emphasized that his client “nearly lost his life,” adding that he is still recovering months later.
“A close review of all of the evidence, including the surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveals that Mr. Zulu was attacked and jumped from behind by a gang of at least four (4) individuals (sadly including the decedent) and was forced to defend himself after this gang repeatedly stomped, punched, and kicked him while he was on the ground in a defenseless posture,” his attorney, Gabe Banks, said in the statement.
“In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he is licensed to carry. Mr. Zulu fully cooperated with law enforcement officials and their investigation, and voluntarily turned himself in once he learned of the arrest warrants,” the statement continued. “Mr. Zulu remains confident that his named will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process.”
Banks noted that his client “will not be commenting on this matter further and asks for privacy during this time.”
Banks did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.