Chaka Zulu, a record producer, Spotify executive, and manager for rap star Ludacris, has surrendered to police after authorities issued a murder warrant for his arrest relating to a June shooting. Zulu, who had a carry license and a legally possessed gun at the time says he was attacked by four men and was shot in the back before he pulled his gun and fired back. One person was killed and another injured.
After further investigation, Atlanta police and prosecutors apparently see the incident differently. They’ve charged Zulu not only with murder, but also aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and simple battery.
One thing’s certain — Mr. Zulu will have the finest criminal defense attorney money can buy in the Atlanta area.
According to the AP . . .
The Atlanta Police Department said Chaka Zulu, whose legal name is Ahmed Obafemi, turned himself in to face charges Tuesday. Atlanta news outlets report that he was released on bail the same day. Police said they also secured warrants charging him with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and simple battery.
Gabe Banks, a lawyer for the longtime music executive, issued a statement expressing disappointment in the decision to bring charges. Banks said evidence clearly shows Zulu — who was injured in the incident — defended himself while being attacked by at least four other people in the June incident.
Zulu was among three people shot in the June 26 gunfire at a parking lot in the Buckhead area. One person died.
Banks’ statement said Zulu defended himself with a firearm he is licensed to carry.
There is video of the incident and in that video from the local TV news outlet 11 Alive, they say that Zulu is the only one that’s been arrested.
“It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that someone lost his life, but had Mr. Zulu not lawfully defended himself, Mr. Zulu would have been killed that night,” the statement said.
Killed in the June shooting was 23-year-old Artez Benton, whose family described him as ambitious, hard-working and dedicated to his family. “He did everything right,” his father, Artis Benton, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the shooting. ” I never thought that this would be the end for him.”
Perhaps better video will be released of the incident, or maybe police found evidence of Zulu escalating the confrontation that lead to the shots being fired.
Either way, it will be an interesting trial. If it goes that far.
