Chaka Zulu, the long-time manager of rapper-turned-actor Ludacris, was booked for murder charges over a shooting that took place at a restaurant in Atlanta in June 2022. Zulu’s attorney Gabe Banks, however, has said that the music producer fired in self-defense, but the police have not found the claim convincing.
The shooting incident took place on June 26, and it involved three men, including Zulu, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi. When the police arrived at the crime scene, they found all three men with gunshots, and they were subsequently taken to a hospital.
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Zulu was also seriously injured in the incident after sustaining a shot in the chest. The rapper’s associate has since then recovered, but another person involved in the shooting, Artez Jamil Benton from Georgia state, died of gunshot injuries.
Chaka Zulu was identified as the main suspect in Benton’s murder and was booked with charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, simple battery, and murder by the Atlanta Police on Friday, September 9.
Zulu then reported to the police as per instructions on Tuesday, September 13, but was released on bail against a bond of $200,000.
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“A close review of all of the evidence, including surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveal 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,” Zulu’s attorney, Gabe Banks, said in a statement on Instagram.
He further added, “In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense; a weapon that he is licensed to carry.”
The incident report by Atlanta police has not mentioned any motive for the murder.
