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Ludacris’ longtime manager Chaka Zulu (R) has been arrested on murder charges stemming from a shooting at an Atlanta nightclub on June 26.
WSB-TV reporter Michael Seiden broke the news in a tweet on Saturday.
RELATED: Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu Critically Wounded
BREAKING: Ludacris’ longtime manager Chaka Zulu arrested on murder charge. The music executive, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, is also charged w/ aggravated assault , possession of firearm during commission of a felony and simple battery, according to jail records. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/4mPLIsI5Pz
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) September 18, 2022
Zulu and two other men were shot during a dispute at Apt4b, a Caribbean restaurant and bar Zulu owns in Buckhead.
Police say Zulu exchanged gunfire with another man. During the shootout, a stray bullet from Zulu’s gun struck Artez Benton, 23, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Benton’s grieving family retained high-powered attorney Steve Sadow.
Zulu’s arrest comes more than two months after the family of Artez Benton, 23, was forced to bury their loved one who was shot and killed outside the club. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/gNdUCslxI0
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) September 18, 2022
Zulu, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, was hospitalized in critical condition. He was eventually discharged from the hospital and turned himself in to police on September 13.
He was booked into the Fulton County Jail and bonded out the same day.
Zulu is also charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and simple battery, according to jail records.
Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of the City of Atlanta, is disappointed in the Atlanta Police Department’s decision to bring charges against him surrounding the shooting that occurred in June 2022.
Update: Attorney Gabe Banks, legal counsel for Chaka Zulu, released a statement to Channel 2 Action News:
“A close review of all of the evidence, including the surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveals 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. Mr. Zulu was shot in the back during the shooting and nearly lost his life, and is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening.
Mr. Zulu was at his place of business that night and had every right to defend himself. In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he is 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. Mr. Zulu remains confident that his named will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process. 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.”
