T.I. Shooter Sentenced To 66

An Ohio man convicted in the 2006 murder of rapper T.I.’s friend and personal assistant has been sentenced to 66 years in prison.

Hosea Thomas was also convicted last month of felonious assault and of being a felon in possession of a gun.

Philant Johnson died in May 2006 after a van carrying members of T.I.’s entourage was targeted by a hail of gunfire following one of the rapper’s concerts in Cincinnati. Three others were injured.

The murder went unsolved for two years until police received vital information from Thomas’ brother, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The brother, who was facing federal drug charges, reportedly cut a deal with prosecutors in exchange for a lighter sentence, telling police he was driving the car when Thomas fired at T.I.’s van.

T.I., who suffered no injuries during the shooting, took the stand last month and said he believed the shots had been meant for him.