Lil Durk acquitted in federal murder‑for‑hire trial over 2022 LA shooting

Durk Devontay Banks, known as Lil Durk, was found not guilty on all five federal charges, including murder‑for‑hire resulting in death, on Friday in the case tied to a Los Angeles shooting in August 2022.

Federal prosecutors said the case stemmed from an August 2022 petrol‑station shooting in Los Angeles in which a car carrying Tyquian Bowman (Quando Rondo) was shot at; Bowman was unharmed and his cousin Saviay'a Robinson was killed. Prosecutors accused Banks of plotting retaliation for the earlier killing of King Von and of offering a bounty to anyone who would kill Bowman.

The three‑week trial relied on three cooperating witnesses — Kavon "OTF Vonnie" Grant, Keith "Flacka" Jones and Kacey "OTF Jam" Hester — who had plea deals and testified against Banks and his co‑defendants.

Two co‑defendants, Deandre "OTF Dede" Wilson and David "Browneyez" Lindsey, were convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking but were acquitted on the murder‑for‑hire counts.

Defense lawyer Drew Findling said Banks was "thankful" after the verdict. Supporters cheered outside the Los Angeles courthouse following three days of jury deliberations.

Banks remains in custody and is scheduled to face a separate racketeering, murder and firearms trial beginning October 5. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors were disappointed by the jury's decision in this case and look forward to presenting evidence at the second trial.

Banks founded OTF in 2010, has had seven albums reach the US Billboard top five since 2019, and won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "All My Life" featuring J. Cole.