Lil Durk’s former assistant Kavon Grant took the witness stand Tuesday and gave prosecutors a key account of the rapper’s alleged reaction to the 2022 shooting targeting Quando Rondo.
Grant testified in Durk’s federal murder-for-hire trial that Banks, whose real name is Durk Banks, appeared pleased after learning about the shooting.
“Finally, we got somebody,” Grant recalled Banks saying.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello pressed Grant about the alleged retaliation during questioning, as prosecutors laid out their theory that Banks and members of Only the Family, or OTF, targeted Rondo following the 2020 killing of King Von.
Prosecutors allege Rondo was involved in the circumstances surrounding Von’s death and say Banks later vowed revenge through his music.
One lyric cited by prosecutors states, “If you can’t get the main n—a then you better get his guy.”
Yanniello then connected the lyric to the Los Angeles shooting.
“That’s what you did in LA, right?” the prosecutor asked.
“Accidentally, yes,” Grant replied.
The 2022 attack happened at a West Hollywood gas station, where three masked gunmen opened fire on Rondo’s vehicle. Rondo survived, but his 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, was killed.
Banks has denied involvement in the shooting. His attorneys have instead argued that Grant was responsible.
Grant testified that he spoke with Banks several times while the gunmen allegedly followed Rondo around Los Angeles.
“We moving sloppy so far,” Grant said he told Banks. “It’s not really planned. It’s like a free-for-all.”
After the shooting, Grant said he went to Banks’ Encino rental home.
“Do you think we got him?” Banks allegedly asked, according to Grant.
Grant said he did not know because he had not been at the scene.
The defense later turned its attention to Grant’s credibility.
Attorney Drew Findling played recorded jail calls in which Grant discussed his testimony. Grant had described the testimony as his “time to perform,” giving the defense an opening to question whether he was motivated by something beyond simply telling jurors what he knew.
Findling also questioned whether Grant cooperated with federal investigators in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence.
“You were hoping for home confinement,” Findling said.
“Same as your client,” Grant shot back.
Despite the aggressive questioning, Grant maintained that his account was truthful.
“I’ve been truthful,” he told jurors.
Grant is expected to return to the witness stand Wednesday as the prosecution continues presenting its case.
The federal trial could conclude as soon as next week, leaving jurors to ultimately decide whether prosecutors have proven Banks’ alleged role in the murder-for-hire scheme beyond a reasonable doubt.
