Texas police arrested two men, preventing their alleged plan to shoot and kill a rapper at a downtown Austin concert, as revealed in court documents.
Don Lee Bennett, aged 39, and Pierre Laday Jones, aged 38, were arrested on March 10. They are charged with third-degree possession of a firearm by a felon. Additionally, Jones faces a harassment charge.
According to court documents cited by the news station, Jones confessed to police that two of his associates were planning to kill a man later that night, leading to the discovery of the plot.
Despite being a felon, Jones was found in possession of a handgun when he spoke with police.
Jones identified Bennett as one of his associates, and the other associate was named in court documents, but had not been arrested.
Bennett, the other associate, and Jones were planning to attend a rap show near East Sixth Street that night. Jones told police he had VIP access to attend a music festival, and the other two associates were planning to use his credentials to gain entry to the rap show.
By using the credentials, Jones claimed, the other two men would be exempt from entry searches at the door, which could allow them to walk in with concealed weapons.
Music festival officials revealed it did not offer VIP access credentials, and if it did, Jones would not have been able to use them to attend a show not related to the festival.
Still, Jones told police he wanted to kill the rapper to stop him from providing testimony during a court case.
The news station reported that Bennett planned to pay Jones $450 for the handgun at the concert. Jones claimed Bennett and the other associate were coming from Killeen, Texas, with at least six guns, including an AK-47.
Police and Jones arranged a meeting with Bennett, but Jones expressed concerns to officers that Bennett and the other individual might engage in gunfire if arrested.
Ultimately, SWAT officers intervened at the club and apprehended Bennett, who was allegedly found in possession of a handgun. Bennett, a convicted felon with a history of aggravated robbery, faces charges for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Austin Police Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the arrests of Jones and Bennett.
During the investigation, detectives examined multiple YouTube videos depicting Jones and the intended victim in a dispute, which included severe criticism of Bennett, Jones, and their rap careers.
Natalia is a Rap and Hip Hop enthusiast. After graduating from The New School of New York’s Public Relations Program and taking a course in Journalism at Michigan State University, she decided to dedicate her life to the music publishing business and to the discovery of new talent. She helps new artists gain exposure to the masses via online marketing and publications.
