*Akili McDowell, star of “David Makes Man,” faces a murder charge following his arrest in Houston.
The 21-year-old actor was taken into custody on August 1 after he was linked to the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Cesar Peralta on July 20.
Vibe reports that Peralta was found with multiple gunshot wounds in an apartment complex parking lot and was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported that Peralta was engaged in a physical altercation with another man, who fled on foot when the gunfire started.
It is unclear if McDowell knew the victim or how he was identified as a suspect. The Harris County Sheriff announced his arrest on charges of murder and theft via Facebook.
Jail records show that McDowell’s bail is set at $400,000.
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McDowell’s manager, Jonell Whitt, said in a statement, “This is an unfortunate situation and I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy.”
McDowell’s breakout role was the OWN series “David Makes Man,” which follows a teenager named David as he navigates the complexities of balancing personal relationships and the drug dealers in his impoverished neighborhood.
“What I love about this series is that I know that it’s going to make people feel deeply and be expanded in that feeling,” said Oprah Winfrey in 2019 when the series launched. “It makes me want to cry, because I think about all of the people who will see it and get validated by it. It’s more than television—it’s deeper than television.”
“David Makes Man” premiered to overwhelming critical acclaim in August 2019 and ran for two seasons.
McDowell has also appeared in “It’s Not About Me,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” “Billions, I Am Athlete,” and “The Waterboyz.”
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