ATLANTA — Editor's note: The video in this story is from a previous report.
Fulton County prosecutors have dropped charges, including murder, for longtime Atlanta music executive and Ludacris' manager Chaka Zulu.
On Wednesday, Zulu's attorney, Gabe Banks, released a statement on social media, saying they were pleased with the outcome of a thorough investigation conducted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
"From the beginning of this case, Mr. Zulu was committed to a fair process. He fully believes that after a thoughtful examination of all the facts and evidence related to this matter, District Attorney Willis reached an appropriate and just decision," the statement read in part.
Banks added in the statement that it's not lost on Zulu that there was a life lost under "extraordinary circumstances."
"However, it is now time for Mr. Zulu to put this difficult process behind him, and to focus on the support and nurturing of his family," the statement said.
A spokesperson from the Fulton County District Attorney's Office also released a statement in response.
The Atlanta Police Department made an arrest on charges determined at a standard of probable cause, which is their duty in this and all cases. The District Attorney's office investigates cases to determine what can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Our investigation of the facts and analysis of applicable law indicates that this is an appropriate resolution of this case based on the standard of proof required. Because the defendant is now involved in a pre-indictment diversion program, we will not comment further about the matter at this time.
The investigation stemmed from a shooting outside of a Buckhead strip mall on Peachtree Road on the night of June 26, 2022. Zulu, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, was shot along with two other men. One of the men, previously identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner as 23-year-old Artez Benton, did not survive.
Zulu's attorneys have asserted surveillance video that appeared to show the moments leading up to the shooting demonstrates their client's innocence and showcases that he fired his weapon out of self-defense during the deadly shooting.