Actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old man in Houston, Texas, on July 20.
McDowell, 21, who starred in Billions and David Makes Man, was booked into the Harris County Jail on Thursday, August 1, on murder and robbery charges.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that McDowell had been charged with the murder of Cesar Peralta in a social media post on August 3.
Officers responded to an incident that occurred in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 13503 North Thorntree, near Wallisville and Uvalde in eastern Harris County.
The message read: ‘An adult male (possibly in his 20s) sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect(s) fled the scene.’
An update to the post read: ‘Homicide investigators have charged Akili McDowell (21) with murder in the shooting death of Cesar Peralta (20). McDowell was recently arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail.’
Actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old man in Houston, Texas, on July 20 – photo 2019
McDowell, 21, who starred in Billions and David Makes Man, was booked into the Harris County Jail on Thursday, August 1, on murder and robbery charges.
‘The investigation is ongoing and we encourage anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100.’
Peralta was not armed.
It is currently unknown how McDowell was identified as a suspect, arrested or whether he knew the victim.
According to online jail records, McDowell is being held on $400,000 bail on the murder charge and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday, August 5.
He has another court appearance scheduled for Aug. 6 on the robbery charge and an additional date for Oct. 9 on the murder charge.
McDowell is known for playing David on OWN’s David Makes Man, which The story follows a 14-year-old boy named David, who lives in a slum, “who is haunted by the death of his friend and who relies on the help of his working-class mother to find a way out of poverty.”
The show was produced by broadcasting icon Oprah Winfrey and actor Michael B. Jordan and ran for two seasons.
He guest-starred as Savion Williams on Billions in 2020, as well as the role of Zavier Gibbs on The Astronaut Wives Club.
He guest-starred as Savion Williams in Billions in 2020; he is pictured here with Damien Lewis.
McDowell is best known for playing David on OWN’s David Makes Man; he is pictured with executive producers Oprah Winfrey, Michael B. Jordan and Tarell Alvin McCraney at the 2019 premiere.
David Makes Man follows a 14-year-old boy named David from an inner city, “who is haunted by the death of his friend and who is relied upon by his working-class mother to find a way out of poverty.”