Akili McDowell, ‘David Makes Man’ and ‘Billions’ actor, charged with murder

Akili McDowell, who is best known for his roles in “David Makes Man” and “Billions,” was arrested in connection with a murder last month.

The victim, Cesar Peralta, 20, was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Houston on July 20, Harris County Sherif Ed Gonzalez said in a post on Facebook. The suspect had fled the scene before police arrived.

McDowell, 21, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with murder and theft, online jail records show. He is being held on $400,000 bond on the murder charge.

His manager, Jonell Whitt, told The Associated Press: “This is an unfortunate situation and I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy.”

Details surrounding the murder remain unclear. The sheriff’s office said that several witnesses reported that the victim had been in a physical altercation with another man before the shooting, the AP reported.

McDowell played David in the OWN television series “David Makes Man,” about a teenage prodigy who had to juggle growing up in a tough South Florida neighborhood and attending a magnet school for academically gifted students. It aired for two seasons.