Actor Akili McDowell Charged with Murder in Houston Shooting

Actor Akili McDowell, known for his roles in the television series “David Makes Man” and appearances in “Billions” and “The Astronaut Wives Club,” has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting incident in Houston. Authorities have stated that McDowell, 21, was charged last week in the death of 20-year-old Cesar Peralta. The incident occurred on July 20 at a parking lot of a Houston apartment complex.
McDowell remains in custody with a bond set at $400,000. The Harris County sheriff’s office reported that deputies discovered an unresponsive man with gunshot wounds following a call about the shooting. Witnesses at the scene indicated that Peralta had been involved in a physical altercation with another individual, who fled the scene on foot after the shooting.
The attorney representing McDowell in court records has not yet responded to requests for comment. His manager, Jonell Whitt, expressed condolences but refrained from further discussion. “This is an unfortunate situation and I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy,” Whitt said.
McDowell’s role in “David Makes Man,” which aired on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, depicted a young man navigating complex relationships in a challenging environment. In addition to his work on “Billions” and “The Astronaut Wives Club,” McDowell also features in the recently released film “The Waterboyz,” according to IMDb.