Texas authorities took weeks to hunt down a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of a man outside his apartment. Who the cops took into custody was a drama series star.
On July 20, deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that happened in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 13503 North Thorntree in Eats Harris County. There, they found 20-year-old Cesar Peralta with several gunshot wounds, police said he was pronounced dead on the scene and the suspects fled.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated upon the investigation, 21-year-old Akili McDowell was arrested as one of the people involved in the shooting. He’s best known at the moment for his role in a Tarell Alvin McCraney-written drama series on OWN as well as ‘Billions.’
Read more about his acting career from PEOPLE:
McDowell is best known for his role as David in the coming-of-age drama series David Makes Man, which premiered in August 2019 on OWN.
McDowell was featured by PEOPLE in 2019, as a 16-year-old, in the “One to Watch” franchise, which showcases rising stars. “I feel so blessed,” McDowell told PEOPLE at the time, referencing his success on David Makes Man.
It’s unclear how McDowell was identified as a shooting suspect or if he knew the victim. However, Gonzalez stated the investigation continues to locate other potential suspects.
He was booked August 2 in the Harris County Jail on a $400,000 bond for a murder charge. According to jail records, he was charged on August 1 with theft for a bounty worth anywhere between $100 and $750.
McDowell’s next hearing for the theft charge is Tuesday, August 8. However, the hearing for the murder charge is not until October. The actor was featured in a yet-to-be released film ‘The Waterboyz’ which premiered at the American Black Film Festival this summer.
The investigation is on-going and we encourage anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100.
