Full Breakdown
Lil Durk Acquitted in Federal Murder-For-Hire Trial
By Drooid · · How we work
The Verdict and Core Charges
On September 11, 2026, a Los Angeles federal jury found rapper Durk Devontay Banks—known as Lil Durk—not guilty on all five counts stemming from the August 19, 2022 ambush near the Beverly Center. The indictment had charged Banks with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and two stalking offenses (one involving a dangerous weapon). Co-defendants Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey were convicted of stalking-related counts but were also acquitted of murder-for-hire charges.
Background & Context
Prosecutors linked the 2022 shooting to a 2020 gang-related killing in Atlanta. Dayvon “King Von” Bennett, a close friend of Banks, was killed after a confrontation with rapper Tyquian Bowman (Quando Rondo). Prosecutors argued that Banks sought revenge by placing a bounty on Bowman, prompting OTF affiliates to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles. The gunmen opened fire on Bowman’s black Escalade at a gas station; Bowman survived, but his 24-year-old cousin Saviay’a Robinson was killed.
Data & Statistics
- Date of shooting: August 19, 2022.
- Rounds fired: at least 18.
- Defendants: Banks plus three co-defendants; two were convicted of stalking-related offenses.
- Charges: five federal counts against Banks; three counts each against Wilson and Lindsey.
Official Statements & Responses
Defense attorney Drew Findling called the prosecution’s case a “tsunami of reasonable doubt,” noting no financial transaction proved Banks paid anyone for the attack. Fellow defense lawyer Brian Steel described cooperating witnesses as “snitches, cooperators, rats.”
Criticism & Opposition
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello asserted that the evidence showed Banks’ leadership in the plot, despite the defense’s claim that former assistant Kavon Grant acted independently.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute centers on who orchestrated the ambush.
- Prosecution: Banks directed the operation, citing text messages, surveillance footage, and testimony from witnesses Kacey “Hester,” Keith “Jones,” and Grant.
- Defense: Grant independently arranged travel, vehicles, and weapons, and the government “has no evidence” of any payment from Banks.
The jury rejected the prosecution’s narrative; no forensic evidence linked Banks to financial transactions, leaving the chain of command unresolved.
What’s Next
Banks remains in federal custody pending a separate racketeering trial scheduled for October 5. That proceeding will address allegations that the OTF collective operates as a violent criminal enterprise and includes additional murder-in-aid-of-racketeering and firearms charges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This case is flooded. It is a tsunami of reasonable doubt,” — Drew Findling
- “You must understand that these are different witnesses. They are snitches, cooperators, rats,” — Brian Steel
- “He has manipulated every single person,” — Drew Findling
- “Defendant Banks used his money, his power, and his influence to try to kill his biggest opp, Quando Rondo,” — Ian Yanniello
- “They unleashed machine gun fire at rush hour on a Friday,” — Ian Yanniello
- “This is a decision that will last a lifetime,” — Drew Findling