Court documents recently unsealed have tied Chicago rapper Lil Durk—real name Devontay Durk Banks—to the January 2022 killing of alleged gang leader Stephon Mack outside the Youth Peace Center of Roseland on Chicago’s South Side.
The revelation adds to the mounting legal troubles for the rapper, who is already facing charges in Los Angeles for allegedly financing a murder-for-hire plot.
The warrant, filed in April 2023 but made public this week, comes ahead of a detention hearing in Los Angeles related to Lil Durk’s alleged role in orchestrating the cross-country plan to avenge the 2020 murder of fellow Chicago rapper King Von in Atlanta.
While Banks has not been charged in the Chicago investigation, federal prosecutors allege he played a central role in Mack’s death.
The Allegations Against Lil Durk
Mack, 24, identified by the FBI as the leader of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples, was fatally shot on January 27, 2022, shortly after leaving the community center.
Investigators claim Banks sought revenge for the killing of his brother, Dontay Banks, who was gunned down in 2021 by another faction of the Gangster Disciples.
“Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” an FBI agent stated in the court filing.
The probe into Mack’s death included analysis of text messages, social media activity, jail phone calls, and even lyrics from Lil Durk’s song “Ahhh Ha,” released shortly after the shooting.
Legal & Community Response
In a statement, Banks’ legal team criticized prosecutors for using his music as evidence, calling it a weak attempt to build a case.
“When you see an artist’s rap lyrics quoted as ‘evidence’ against them, it is a glaring indication that there is no real evidence against that person,” the statement read.
“Durk Banks is a Grammy-winning artist, a devoted father, and a community leader who has hosted numerous charitable events through his Neighborhood Heroes Foundation.”
Despite these allegations, Banks remains uncharged in the Chicago investigation, which is ongoing.
However, prosecutors in Los Angeles are reportedly using the Mack case to argue for his continued detention ahead of trial.
Retaliation Against Quando Rondo
The case against Banks also intersects with another high-profile plot.
Federal prosecutors recently charged five men in a conspiracy to kill rapper Quando Rondo—born Tyquian Terrel Bowman—following King Von’s death in 2020.
According to the charges, Banks is accused of financing the effort to target Bowman.
In August 2022, gunmen opened fire on Bowman’s vehicle in West Hollywood, killing his cousin Saviay’a Robinson, 24, while sparing Bowman and his sister.
What’s Next For Lil Durk?
As federal investigations into both cases continue, Lil Durk maintains his innocence and plans to fight the allegations in court.
His attorneys emphasize his philanthropic work and community involvement as evidence of his character.
Stay tuned for updates as these cases develop.
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