Billions actor Akili McDowell, 21, arrested and charged with murder two weeks after victim Cesar Peralta’s body found

BILLIONS actor Akili McDowell has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to a deadly shooting last month.

McDowell, 21, allegedly shot and killed Cesar Peralta, 20, in the parking lot of a Houston apartment complex on July 20, according to police .

Harris County Sheriff's Office

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The TV actor is known for his roles in Billions , David Makes Man, The Astronaut Wives Club, and Criminal Activities.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Peralta was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead when cops arrived at the scene.

Peralta was unarmed at the time of his death, officers said.

The shooter fled the scene, according to Gonzalez.

McDowell’s mugshot showed the suspect with a hint of a smile after he was booked into the Harris County Jail on August 1.

The actor remains in jail on a $400,000 bond for the alleged murder, according to the jail’s site .

He’s also charged with theft of over $100 but less than $750, the record shows. His bond for the theft is $210.

The misdemeanor charge came in July 2023 when McDowell allegedly stole a pair of headphones, according to records.

Documents say McDowell was “charged with murder while on bond for theft.”

McDowell’s manager, Jonell Whitt, told Law&Crime that this is “an unfortunate situation.”

“I am in prayer for Akili and those impacted by this tragedy,” Whitt said.

“I respectfully have no comment at this time.”

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Whitt for comment.

McDowell got his big break at 16 when he starred as the titular role in OWN drama series David Makes Man in 2019.

Akili McDowell's filmography

Akili McDowell has been involved in the following projects since his first role in 2013:

• It’s Not About Me (2013)
• The Astronaut Wives Club (2015)
• Red Pearl (2015)
• Criminal Activities (2015)
• Chase The Lion (2018)
• Athan & Sarah (2018)
• Billions (2020)
• I Am Athlete (2021)
• David Makes Man (2019-2021)
• The Waterboyz (2024)

McDowell is also set to appear in two upcoming shorts called Stay with Me – A Goodman Chronicles and The Halloween Club, according to IMDB .

At the time, he spoke with Oprah Winfrey about his role in the series as a 14 year old who makes his way out of “chaos and trauma,” as Oprah said.

“You don’t have to settle for what everybody may think you’re going to be,” McDowell said at the time.

“You can work to be better and you can be better.”

He also told Vulture that year that the role was important to him because he related to his character David because he also had to grow up quickly.

“He just wants to be there for his mom,” David told the outlet about the series.

“She doesn’t gotta worry about David. That’s what he wants. David’s gonna do his job – David gonna get things done. And I felt that way in my life as well.”

McDowell is set to appear in court on August 6 for the theft charge and on October 9 for the murder charge.

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

Gonzalez asks anyone with information to contact the local homicide unit at 713-274-9100 as the investigation into Peralta’s death is still ongoing.

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