PITTSBURG — Prosecutors dropped a bombshell at an afternoon court hearing Friday: that Bay Area rapper A-Wax was arrested earlier this week in connection with the investigation of a recent homicide.

A-Wax, whose real name is Aaron Scott Doppie, has been charged only with three felony counts related to alleged possession of a loaded gun and two large-capacity magazines. But prosecutors say Pittsburg police arrested Doppie on Tuesday night on a murder warrant.

Deputy district attorney Jen Tompkins did not disclose details about the homicide, other than saying that the homicide was recent and that the case is still being investigated. Tompkins convinced Judge Leonard Marquez to set Doppie’s bail at $1.1 million but said that “no bail is more appropriate,” given the nature of the uncharged investigation.

Doppie’s attorneys, meanwhile, argued that he should be released from custody and chided prosecutors for using an uncharged allegation as a reason for setting a high bail.

Doppie’s next court date — a bail hearing — was set for March 27, but will likely be postponed, as Contra Costa County courts have been suspended for two weeks, starting Monday, in response to concerns over COVID-19.

Doppie was arrested early Tuesday morning, at an address in Pittsburg. Tompkins said that police were bringing Doppie into custody on a murder warrant, but located a loaded gun, various kinds of ammunition, and a 100-round magazine known as a “drum” during the raid. The pistol was loaded with a 30-round magazine, she said.

Doppie’s attorney, Paul Alaga, said the weapons were “nowhere near my client” and that the weapons charges were based on “pure speculation.” He said the murder investigation, “has nothing to do with (Doppie’s) current custody status” and that Marquez shouldn’t consider it when determining Doppie’s bail.

Alaga also suggested that the murder investigation was in connection with a 20-year-old homicide, but Tompkins said that was not the case.

“This is a current homicide being investigated, not a 20-year-old case,” she said. She didn’t provide additional details, such as the time or place of the killing, or the victim’s name.

Doppie has two prior strike convictions — one for manslaughter, when he was 16, and another for burglary, in his early 20s. Both occurred in Washington state.

Doppie’s rap career has spanned 20 years. He’s amassed a large fan base during that time, and his songs have garnered tens of millions of views, in total. He spoke briefly in court Friday, answering “yes” when Tompkins asked if he was willing to waive his right to a speedy arraignment hearing.