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Headlines: Death of Migos Rapper Takeoff Highlights Alarming Trend of Rap Murders

Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.

Takeoff, a member of the platinum-selling rap group, The Migos, was shot and killed at a bowling alley this morning in Houston, Texas' central business district, TMZ reports. Early Tuesday morning, local police confirmed that someone was shot at 810 Billiards and Bowling but would not confirm the victims identity. Takeoff was shot while playing "dice" with his uncle and bandmate Quavo, TMZ reported. The two had recently broken off from The Migos to form a duo and had just released a new single titled 'Messy' for Halloween. Video footage that surfaced on social media apparently shows Takeoff laying lifeless in a pool of blood, while Quavo stands by his side and several others huddle around them. It appears that Takeoff was shot at or near his head. At one point in the video Quavo tries and move Takeoff but a woman who says she's a nurse tells him not to. In the last year a number of prominent rappers have been gunned down or stabbed to death. L.A. based rapper Slim 400 and Drakeo The Ruler were killed weeks apart in December. Earl Swavey another L.A.-based rapper was killed a month later. And more recently, PnB Rock was gunned down while eating chicken and waffles. Two weeks later, local rapper and businessman Kee Riches was fatally shot. An L.A. TACO analysis of rap murders dating back to the mid-80s found that more than 90 rappers have been murdered. Takeoff was 28-years-old. This is a developing story. [TMZ]

Santa Clarita: A highschool football player ran a "blue lives matter" flag onto the football field before a game after being told not to. The issue has divided parents and community members. [CBS]

Los Angeles: A new study shows that if L.A. was hit with a once in a hundred year flood, Black and Brown neighborhoods would likely be disproportionately impacted. [LAT]

Westchester: The United Airlines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was cleared of passengers after a carbon monoxide leak was detected yesterday morning. Four people were reportedly sickened with one person in "grave condition," media outlets reported. [Twitter]

Los Angeles: No one hit the $1 billion Powerball jackpot last night but someone in Los Angeles matched five-out-of-six numbers, netting more than ¾ of a million dollars. If you purchased a lottery ticket at 777 Market on South La Brea Avenue, you may be the lucky winner! [ABC]

Palmdale: Three teens were shot, one fatally in a parking lot in Palmdale after a reported fight, early Tuesday morning. No suspects have been identified or caught as of this morning. [KTLA]

Hollywood: Two men were stabbed near Hollywood Boulevard last night. Both victims were transported to a local hospital, their condition is unknown. [KTLA]

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