Malik Brooks, a 24-year-old Black man and aspiring rapper from El Paso, Texas, was found dead April 2, 2023, near Rose Canyon Lake off the Catalina Highway in Tucson, Arizona. His body showed obvious trauma, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department opened a homicide investigation that later attributed his death to gun violence. Brooks had traveled to Tucson after being promised a chance to perform at a rap show and was reportedly last seen taking an Uber to a Tucson residence.

Investigators say a plot to harm Brooks came to light after a monitored phone call at the El Paso County Detention Center. Four people were arrested in connection with the slaying: Muhidin Kassim, 21; Quinton Holt, 23; Dereck Ashe, 19; and Christopher Ellis, 22. Kassim and Holt were charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder; Ashe faced suspicion of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and misconduct involving weapons; Ellis was detained in Texas and set to be returned to Tucson to face charges. His mother described him as a kind, family-oriented young man who loved music.

The full circumstances and motive remain under investigation. Anyone with information about Malik Brooks’s travel to Tucson, the ride he took that night, or contacts who arranged the performance is asked to come forward.