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Takeoff murder suspect Patrick Xavier Clark was en route 'planned' vacation not fleeing arrest, says lawyer

More than a month after TakeOff was shot and killed, Patrick Xavier Clark appeared before the judge, who set his bond at $2 million in the high-profile murder case

HOUSTON, TEXAS: The defendant accused of murder for fatally shooting Migos rapper TakeOff appeared in court Monday. Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, appeared in court more than a month after TakeOff was shot and killed. The judge set his bail at $2 million in this high-profile murder case. His attorney has requested a new hearing next week to reduce the bail amount to protect his constitutional rights.

Patrick's attorney has maintained his innocence while claiming that he didn't attempt to flee the country after he was caught with a passport and substantial sums of cash and became a flight risk. Patrick's attorney didn't refute the claims about the passport and money but maintained that it was a planned vacation to Mexico. "That's something that was pre-planned and it was canceled before he was arrested. I think that's important. He wasn't trying to go anywhere," said defense attorney Letitia Quinones, Quinones & Associates, according to KHOU11.

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In a court document filled out by Clark, he listed himself as a self-employed DJ with no income and requested a court-appointed attorney. He as per reports had refused to give details on the shooting during his arrest. If Clark makes bond, he has a long list of conditions, including 24-hour house arrest, an electronic monitor, no firearms, illegal drugs or alcohol, and no contact with the victim's family. It has been revealed that if Clark is granted bond, which seems most unlikely, he will be subject to a slew of restrictions, including 24-hour house arrest, an electronic monitor, a prohibition on guns, illicit substances, or alcohol, and no contact with the victim's family. The Houston Police Department announced Clark's arrest on Friday during a press conference.

Takeoff, whose true name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, was an "innocent bay stander" when bullets were fired outside 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley, according to authorities. Takeoff and his bandmate, Quavo, were at a private party with around 40 other individuals just before the shooting at 2.30 am. TakeOff was struck and killed right outside the bowling alley's entrance. According to authorities, two more persons have been shot, a 23-year-old male and a 24-year-old woman. They drove to hospitals since their injuries were not life-threatening.

HPD Chief Troy Finner did not provide many facts about the case or what led investigators to suspect Clark as the gunman during the news conference, but he did claim TakeOff was an innocent bystander who was shot when a dice game got violent. "Certainly, wrong place, wrong time," Finner remarked. Some reports suggest that Clark was seen holding a wine bottle and a gun in his other hand when he fired and shortly after he was seen leaving in his car. Reports quoting sources say that police are heavily relying on the video evidence to nail the suspect in pleading guilty which he has not.