Takeoff: Migos rapper shot dead in Houston at 28Published

By Mark Savage BBC Music Correspondent

rapper Takeoff, from the chart-topping group Migos, was shot dead at the age of 28 in Houston, Texas.

The star was killed at a bowling alley where he was playing dice with his uncle and bandmate, Quavo, on Tuesday.

A representative for the musician, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, confirmed the news to the Associated Press.

Migos was one of the most influential groups of their generation, pioneering a style of rapping in choppy, staccato triplets known as the "Migos flow".

The band split earlier this year and

scored several international hits, including Bad and Boujee, Versace, and Walk It Talk It.

• 'Tell me this ain't true' - reaction to Takeoff's death

The shooting occurred at about 02:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on a balcony outside the 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley.

Police said 40 to 50 guests had been at a private party when someone opened fire. Security guards heard the shots but did not see who fired the gun.