Akili McDowell, an actor known for his starring role on the OWN series David Makes Man, has been charged with murder in Houston.
McDowell, 21, is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Cesar Peralta, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a media advisory posted on Facebook Aug. 3.
Gonzalez said deputies responded to an incident in the parking lot of an apartment complex on July 20 at 13503 North Thorntree in East Harris County.
Peralta sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the sheriff.
Related: ‘David Makes Man’ Explores Effects of Gentrification on Black Communities
In an update to the post, the sheriff noted that Akili McDowell was recently booked into the Harris County Jail and charged with murder.
In a news release the day of the shooting, the sheriff’s office said several witnesses reported seeing the victim involved in a “physical altercation” with an unidentified male. The suspect opened fire on Peralta and ran away.
According to online inmate records, McDowell is being held on $400,000 bond at the Harris County Jail. He also faces a theft charge.
The booking sheet says the actor was arrested on Aug. 1, in connection with the theft. A day later, he was charged with murder.
McDowell is scheduled to make a court appearance on Aug. 6 for the theft charge. A second court date has been set for Oct. 9 on the murder charge.
“This is an unfortunate situation and I am praying for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy. I respectfully have no comment at this time,” the actor’s talent manager, Jonell Whitt, told Urban Hollywood 411.
McDowell rose to fame when he landed a role on the critically acclaimed OWN drama David Makes Man.
The series focused on 14-year-old David, who lived in the projects in South Florida and was haunted by the death of his closest friend, as previously reported. Phylicia Rashad co-starred as the demanding teacher who took an interest in the teen’s success.
The series premiered in 2019 and aired for two seasons. During its TV run, it won a Peabody Award and was nominated for a Gotham Award and a Critics Choice Television Award.
McDowell also had a role on Billions and he appeared on two episodes of The Astronaut Wives Club.
He currently has a starring role in this year’s The Waterboyz, a film about two young men in Atlanta whose lives cross each other’s paths where one is trying to make an honest living while the other is trying to rule the streets.
The drama from filmmaker Coke Daniels screened at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach in June, and won a best director award.
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