According to reports, Police in Cincinnati, Ohio have arrested two men in connection with the death of T.I.’s childhood friend, Philiant Johnson, who was killed during a shootout in May of 2006.

Cincinnati’s WLWT Channel 5 have reported that Pardon Thomas, aged 40 and Hosea Thomas, aged 34 have been indicted on charges of murder and felonious assault.

The incident happened after T.I. and some of his associates were attending an after party at Cincinnati’s Club Ritz. The rapper and his crew were reportedly involved in an altercation after someone was angered by the fact that money was thrown into the crowd during a performance by rapper Yung Joc.

When T.I. and his entourage exited the club at around 3:30 am, they were followed by a group of unidentified people, now belived to be Pardon and Hosea Thomas’, who opened fired on the rappers van killing Philliant Johnson, aged 26, and leaving three other people in the van with injuries.

Johnson had been responsible for helping T.I. to create the concepts behind his albums as well as motivating him to continue to pursue his musical career despite various brushes with the law.

Phillinat Johnsons funeral was held at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta on the 8th of May, 2006 where T.I. gave the eulogy.