Ludacris’ manager Chaka Zulu has reflected on a shooting incident he was involved in last year that almost cost him his life.
The longtime music executive took to Instagram on Tuesday (June 27) and gave honor to those who have been here for him since the tragic situation occurred.
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In the post, he shared a screenshot of a TMZ article from when the shooting first happened and a light blue graphic which says “Thankful, Grateful, Blessed.”
“THIS TIME A YEAR AGO,” he began “I LOVE AND THANK ALL WHO HAVE LIFTED ME UP IN THIS PROCESS. I AM GRATEFUL I AM THANKFUL I AM BLESSED.”
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A bevy of celebrities showed love to Chaka Zulu and wished him well on his road to recovery.
Ludacris simply left a crown emoji while Killer Mike said love and respect. E-40 left praying hands and a crown emoji while T.I. left similar sentiments.
Check out his post below:
Last September, Chaka was charged with murder over the fatal shooting of a man outside his Atlanta restaurant but as of January, there haven’t been any updates, except for his attorney Gabe Banks issuing a statement via AllHipHop.
“The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office is still investigating this matter,” Banks said. “At this time, there are no upcoming court dates. He needs [the love]. More importantly, he appreciates it.”
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In September 2022, TMZ published surveillance footage from outside Zulu’s APT 4B restaurant in June 2022, which shows the Disturbing Tha Peace co-founder firing the deadly shots into the victim, 23-year-old Artez Benton, as well as the fight that preceded it.
The almost three-minute long clip captures Chaka Zulu (real name Ahmed Obafemi) getting into a verbal confrontation with another man, Tre’mon Robinson, in the restaurant parking lot. As the pair argue, another man, Corey Crawford, can be seen retrieving something out of a vehicle, which Zulu’s legal team believe was a gun.
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Things turn physical when Robinson appears to chest bump Zulu, who retaliates by shoving Robinson into a nearby car and grabbing him by the collar. Crawford, Benton and another man immediately jump in to help Robinson, with all four pummeling Zulu with punches, kicks and stomps.
Zulu’s female assistant jumps in to try to defend Zulu, but ends up getting punched in the face by Robinson. After getting back on his feet, Zulu can be seen brandishing a gun and firing at least one shot into Benton, knocking him to the ground.
Crawford, off-camera, then fires multiple shots of his own, with at least one striking Zulu in the back.
Police arrived at the scene, after which Zulu and Benton were rushed to a local hospital and underwent emergency surgery. However, Benton later died from his injuries.
Zulu turned himself into authorities in September 2022 and was hit with a litany of charges, including murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and simple battery. In a statement following his arrest, Zulu’s lawyer, Gabe Banks, claimed his client acted in self-defense.
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“A close review of the 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,” Banks wrote at the time.
“In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he was licensed to carry. Mr. Zulu fully cooperated with law enforcement officials and their investigation, and voluntarily turned himself in once he learned of the arrest warrants.”
