Billions actor Akili McDowell, 21, is arrested and charged with murder in shooting death of man, 20, in Houston parking lot

Actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old man in Houston, Texas on July 20.

McDowell, 21, who has starred in Billions and David Makes Man, was booked into the Harris County Jail on Thursday, August 1 on charges of murder and theft.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office confirmed McDowell had been charged with the murder of Cesar Peralta in a social media post on August 3.

Deputies responded to an incident that occurred in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 13503 North Thorntree, near Wallisville and Uvalde in East Harris County around 9.15pm.

The post read: 'An adult male (possibly in his 20s) sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Suspect(s) fled the scene.'

An update to the post read: 'Homicide Investigators charged Akili McDowell (21) with murder in the shooting death of Cesar Peralta (20). McDowell was recently taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail.' 

Actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old man in Houston, Texas on July 20 - pictured 2019

McDowell, 21, who has starred in Billions and David Makes Man, was booked into the Harris County Jail on Thursday, August 1 on charges of murder and theft

'The investigation is on-going and we encourage anyone with info to contact the Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100.'

Peralta was not armed. 

It is currently not known how McDowell was identified as a suspect, apprehended or if he knew the victim. 

Per online jail records, McDowell is being held on $400,000 bond for the murder charge and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday, August 5. 

Per Click2Houston, his bond is set at $210 for the theft offense. 

He has a further court date appearance scheduled August 6 for the theft charge, and an additional date on October 9 for the murder charge. 

McDowell’s manager Jonell Whitt told Law&Crime the arrest was a 'an unfortunate situation and I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy.

'I respectfully have no comment at this time.'

He guest-starred as Savion Williams in Billions in 2020 - pictured with Damien Lewis 

McDowell is known for starring as David in OWN's David Makes Man - he is pictured with executive producers Oprah Winfrey, Michael B. Jordan and Tarell Alvin McCraney at the 2019 premiere 

David Makes Man followed a 14-year-old named David from the projects 'who is haunted by the death of his friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty

Jail records obtained by the publication show the theft charge appears to be connected to a misdemeanor case from July 2023 after McDowell allegedly stole a pair of headphones. 

Documents stated that he was 'charged with murder while on bond for theft.'

McDowell is known for starring as David in OWN's David Makes Man which followed a 14-year-old named David from the projects 'who is haunted by the death of his friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty.'

The show was executive produced by broadcasting icon Oprah Winfrey and actor Michael B. Jordan and ran for two seasons. It scored a Critics Choice Awards nomination for Best Drama Series in 2019.

He guest-starred as Savion Williams in Billions in 2020, as well as the role of Zavier Gibbs in The Astronaut Wives Club. 

Last month his newest project, The Waterboyz was among the winners of this year’s Best of ABFF Awards at the American Black Film Festival.