Arrests made in plot to murder rapper at SXSW in downtown Austin

AUSTIN, Texas – Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with a sinister plot to eliminate a rapper during a performance at the renowned SXSW festival in bustling downtown Austin, as per official court documents.

The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Don Lee Bennett and 38-year-old Pierre Laday Jones, were taken into custody on March 10.

Both individuals are currently facing charges, with Bennett charged with a third-degree felony for possession of a firearm by a felon, while Jones faces the same charge along with an additional harassment charge, classified as a Class B misdemeanor.

The nefarious scheme came to light when Jones, who was found in possession of an illegal handgun despite his prohibition from owning one, voluntarily confessed to law enforcement about the planned assassination of another individual during the event.

Jones revealed that two of his associates, one of whom was Bennett, were plotting to attend the rap show near East Sixth Street. They had devised a plan to utilize Jones’s VIP access credentials for SXSW to enter the venue without being subjected to a security check, enabling them to sneak in concealed weapons.

According to Jones, the motive behind the planned attack was to prevent the targeted performer from testifying in a legal case. Bennett had allegedly agreed to compensate Jones $450 to deliver the firearm to him at the concert venue.

Jones further informed police that he believed the two suspects were travelling from Killeen armed with at least six firearms, including an AK-47, posing a serious threat to public safety.

In a bid to capture the perpetrators, law enforcement coordinated a meeting with Bennett, although Jones cautioned that Bennett and the third suspect were likely to engage in violent resistance if approached by officers.

Bennett was eventually apprehended by SWAT officers at a club on E. 6th Street, where he was found in possession of a handgun. Due to his prior felony conviction for aggravated robbery, Bennett was charged with unlawful possession, as stated in the affidavit.

In a startling revelation, authorities discovered several YouTube videos featuring Jones and the intended victim, shedding light on an ongoing feud between the parties and harsh criticism of Bennett and Jones, hinting at a possible motive behind the planned attack.