Rapper Lil Durk in ‘great spirits’ behind bars after arrest in 2022 murder-for-hire

Grammy winner Lil Durk is reportedly thriving behind bars following his arrest last week in connection with a plot to kill fellow rapper Quando Rondo that resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin instead.

The 32-year-old “When We Shoot” rapper, whose real name is Durk Banks, is said to be in “great spirits” as he remains behind bars at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where he’s awaiting processing, sources with direct knowledge told TMZ.

Banks is reportedly getting along just fine with his fellow inmates and those working at the prison, who described him as “super charming” and “agreeable.” However, insiders say that he’s none too pleased with the culinary offerings in lockup.

The Chicago-based artist is accused of having offered “a bounty” to anyone willing to carry out the revenge killing of Rondo, who’s believed to have been involved in a November 2020 shooting in Atlanta that left three men dead, including rapper King Von. The up-and-coming artist was a member of Banks' Chicago hip-hop collective, Only the Family (OTF).

Rondo and his cousin Saviay’a Robinson were driving around Los Angeles on Aug. 19, 2022, when authorities say five OTF members followed the pair and ultimately opened fire on them at a gas station. Rondo, then 23, survived the shooting, but his 24-year-old cousin was killed.

Banks was arrested Thursday night in Miami while attempting to flee the country on a private flight to Italy, according to an FBI affidavit. He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and intends to plead not guilty.

The other men involved in the slaying were arrested in Chicago earlier that same day. Authorities said at least two more arrests could be forthcoming.

As of Wednesday, Banks remained behind bars at FDC Miami. There’s been no word on when the federal authorities will transfer him to California to formally face the charge.

The slaying of Robinson isn’t the first violent crime allegedly involving Banks. Earlier this month, he was sued in connection with the fatal 2020 shooting of rapper FBG Duck. Banks and King Von, according to the suit, allegedly plotted with others to murder their Chicago rival.

Banks and King Von were also charged in a 2019 drive-by shooting in Atlanta, though charges against the former were subsequently dropped.

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