When T.I. was in Cincinnati, Ohio two years ago for a concert, he never thought he'd leave with one of his people being shot, but that's what happened.

The driver of a vehicle involved in an Ohio gun battle that resulted in the death T.I.'s friend and assistant, Philant Johnson, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, among other charges recently.

Padron Thomas was initially charged with murder, but via a deal with prosecutors, he was given a lesser charge in exchange for a guilty plea and testimony agaisnt his brother, who pulled the trigger.

A judge on Wednesday (October 28) has scheduled a November 17th sentencing hearing, where Thomas could face up to 10 years in prison. He's currently serving 17 years on unrelated federal drug charges.

His brother, Hosea Thomas, was sentenced to 66 years in prison for shooting Philant Johnson in May 2006, following a concert by T.I.

Three others were injured in the shooting, but T.I. walked away unscathed.

Philant Johnson was the rapper's best friend. The death affected him deeply. To remember his fallen friend, he rocks diamond-encrusted dog tags that say his name, birth date and passing, with the other engraved with "Grand Hustle," the name of his record label.