Broward County, Fla. — U.S. Marshals arrested rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, in Broward County, Florida, in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire scheme, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Banks, 31, is being held without bond.
The arrest reportedly involves a plot targeting fellow rapper Quando Rondo, stemming from an ongoing dispute linked to a 2020 Atlanta shooting. That incident involved a confrontation between Rondo and rapper King Von, a close associate of Banks.
During the altercation, Rondo’s associate, Lul Tim, allegedly shot and killed Von. Rondo has since referenced the killing in his music, fueling tensions within the hip-hop community.
Earlier Wednesday, five other suspects were arrested in Chicago and charged in California for the August 2022 murder of Rondo’s cousin Saviay’a Robinson, 24. Named in the indictment are Kavon London Grant, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, Keith Jones, David Brian Lindsey, and Asa Houston.
All face charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire involving a death, and use of a machine gun in a violent crime. Prosecutors say the penalties for these crimes could result in a death sentence if the defendants are convicted.
Court documents from the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles allege the defendants were hired as part of a scheme to kill Rondo. Federal authorities have not disclosed further details on the motive behind the plot.
Banks, a Grammy-nominated rapper with a prominent following, has a history of legal issues but has recently sought to turn his career around, focusing on his music and charitable efforts. His arrest adds to growing scrutiny over conflicts within the hip-hop industry and the risks associated with celebrity feuds.
Further court proceedings are scheduled to address the charges against Banks and the other suspects.
