Warning: The above footage contains graphic violence.
Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu, who has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a man outside his restaurant, was seen on video getting jumped moments before firing the fatal shot.
In surveillance footage obtained by TMZ, Zulu can be seen getting confronted by a group of men outside his Atlanta restaurant Apt4B, including the deceased 23-year-old Artez Benton. The outlet reports some sort of dispute erupted inside the establishment and poured out into the parking lot.
Zulu, who was speaking with an acquaintance in the parking lot, is seen in the video meandering over to the restaurant when Tre’mon Robinson begins confronting him. Robinson had been one of the men inside the restaurant and had been asked to leave, reportedly.
As the argument escalates, a man named Corey Crawford is seen on video going to his car and grabbing an object, which Zulu’s legal team has argued was a firearm. Robinson beckons Crawford and his friends to come over to him and then appears to chest bump Zulu. Zulu responds by grabbing Robinson, causing Crawford and Benton to jump in and begin pummeling Zulu. The music executive’s assistant is seen trying to help him, but Robinson punches her in the face and knocks her to the ground.
Crawford then takes cover behind two cars before Zulu appears to fire off his gun, striking Benton in the chest. Crawford then appears to fire off his own gun, as smoke is seen billowing out from both firearms. Zulu was reportedly hit in the back. The video shows Benton crawling away behind some cars. He later died from his injuries.
As previously reported by WSB-TV, Chaka Zulu was arrested in connection with the June 26 shooting and has since been charged with murder, aggravated assault, simple battery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He turned himself into authorities on Sept. 13, and has maintained that he acted in self-defense.
“A close review of the all of the evidence, including surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveal 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,” Zulu’s lawyer Gabe Banks wrote in a statement on Instagram.
He continued, “In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he was 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.”
Banks additionally went on to The Frank Ski Show with Nina Brown on KISS 104.1 FM on Thursday, echoing these sentiments and giving a play-by-play of what he believes transpired on June 26.
“When they got out they were angry, they were frustrated,” Banks said referring to the group of men that jumped Zulu. “You had to have a passcode, a personal invitation. They couldn’t get a seat at the table. They came out 10 minutes later and they wanted their money back from the valet. At some point Chaka came out to greet a special guest in the parking lot. He has to walk across the parking lot. He started to come back toward the entrance of the restaurant when he was confronted by one of the decedent’s crew members. At some point that crew member chest bumped him.”
He continued, “Chaka is trying to de-escalate the situation. He is doing his best to tell this young kid, who is a hot head, not to retrieve a firearm. He’s a man of peace. Everybody knows he’s a man of peace.”
Banks added that he doesn’t know who actually shot Zulu, but that the approach the Atlanta police have taken to this whole situation is wrong.
“Why has APD taken this approach against Chaka Zulu, a son of the city? Frankly, we have a lot of questions," Banks said. “How is it, when you look at the facts and circumstances of this particular video footage, and after listening to critical witnesses, how is it that Chaka is charged in the first place? Why aren’t the people who attacked Chaka from behind and the shooter who shot Chaka in the back, why are they not charged? APD has yet to answer these questions.”
50 Cent and Tony Yayo, Lil Jon and Tyrese are but a few of the celebrities who have come out in support of the Disturbing Tha Peace co-founder.
“@uluz3 hold your head i saw the tapes there is no way you should be charged with anything, the way they punched the young lady that was there was crazy,” Fif wrote next to Banks’ Instagram statement.
Tony Yayo merely commented: “Free Shaka.”
Zulu was released from custody on September 13 after posting a $200,000 bond.
