Featured Image Credit: Showtime/Roy Rochlin/WireImage via Getty
Topics: Crime, Film and TV, Houston, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Crime, Film and TV, Houston, US News
Actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in relation to the 'shooting death' of a 20-year-old.
On July 20, deputies from Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in a parking lot of an apartment complex at 13503 North Thorntree in East Harris County in Houston, Texas.
Authorities have since revealed 21-year-old Akili McDowell - best known for playing Savion Williams in two episodes of the series Billions - has been charged with murder.
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McDowell's breakout role was in two episodes of 2015 series The Astronaut Wives Club, before he portrayed Young Isaac in Criminal Activities and later starred in Billions and David Makes Man - now on HBO - with upcoming movie The Waterboyz set for release later this year.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez took to his Facebook page to report the incident.
His statement reads: "On July 20, 2024, Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an incident that occurred in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 13503 North Thorntree, near Wallisville and Uvalde (East Harris County).
"An adult male (possibly in his 20s) sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Suspect(s) fled the scene."
In an update, the sheriff reported homicide investigators charged McDowell with 'murder in the shooting death of Cesar Peralta' aged 20.
The actor was arrested and taken into custody, booked into Harris County Jail.
Charge documents read, as quoted by Law&Crime: "[McDowell] on or about July 20, 2024, did then and there unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly cause the death of Cesar Peralta, hereinafter called the Complainant, by shooting the Complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm."
Harris County police records revealed McDowell had been out on bond for a charge of theft at the time of the 'shooting', booked on that charge on August 1, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
McDowell's bond has reportedly been set at $400,000. It's reported he's set to appear in court today (August 6) for his theft charge and on October 9 in relation to the charge of murder.
McDowell's manager, Jonell Whit, told Law&Crime: "[This] is an unfortunate situation and I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy.
"I respectfully have no comment at this time."
The investigation is ongoing and Harris County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100.
UNILAD has contacted Harris County Sheriff's Office and McDowell's representatives for comment.