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T.I. Shooter Headed To Court, On Trial For Murder Of Rapper's Best Friend

Posted on 03. Sep, 2008 by ilir (ilir@musiconplay.net) in MusicOnPlay

A man accused of shooting at hip-hop superstar T.I.’s entourage and murdering the rapper’s best friend is scheduled to appear in court today.

According to the Kentucky Post, Cincinnati resident Hosea Thomas will stand before a judge for the alleged murder of Tip’s friend and personal assistant, Philant Johnson in May 2006. Also charged in the case is Hosea’s brother, Padron Thomas.

As previously reported details emerged last June explaining that both men had issues with the Atlanta rapper and his entourage at a late night party and performance on May 2, 2006. Their anger eventually turned into a violent altercation.

Charged with murder and felonious assault of Johnson, the brothers were also accused of wounding three others that night, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Described as a shoot-out by Cincinnati Homicide Detective Tim Gormly, he claimed the incident began when the brothers were not allowed to meet T.I.

“T.I. and his group were in the VIP area,” he told the Enquirer. “The suspects wanted to get in the VIP area and weren’t allowed to.”

After being turned down from entering, Gormly said one of the brothers was struck in the head with a bottle and the two were later taunted as the rapper’s entourage threw money from the stage.

After leaving the club, the entourage left in two vans that were followed by the Thomas brothers in SUVs. Shortly afterwards, gunfire from both vehicles was exchanged that killed Johnson and injured T.I. due to shattered glass.

Both brothers have criminal backgrounds, including rape, robbery, drug possession and trafficking convictions. Charged with murder and seven counts of felonious assault for each member inside T.I.’s vehicles, the two men were also hit with weapons charges and tampering with evidence.

More than just an assistant, T.I. paid homage to his friend shortly after the incident when he dedicated his ‘06 video “Living in the Sky” to Johnson.

Tags: Court, Rapper, T.I.