5 New Details About 22-Year-Old Dedrick D. Williams, The Man Police Charged With XXXTentacion's Murder
His motive is unclear.
broward county sheriff / getty Police have charged a suspect with rapper XXXtentacion’s murder.
On Monday, June 18, XXXtentaction was shot while leaving a motorsports business near Deerfield Beach, Florida. According to police, two armed suspects in hoodies, with the shooter wearing a red mask, approached the rapper, stole a Louis Vuitton bag out of his car, and shot XXXtentacion dead.
Witnesses at the scene say XXXtentacion was immediately lifeless, and dispatch audio from the 911 call obtained by TMZ reveal the rapper was in a comatose state as the EMS team transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
As police searched for suspects, many fans wondered who killed XXXtentacion and came up with their own theories. Some pointed the finger at rappers Soldier Kidd and Soldier Jojo after they posted a photo of themselves in a car with a red mask like the one reportedly worn by the shooter, while others concocted conspiracy theories claiming Drake killed XXXtentacion. Some thought XXX wasn’t even dead at all.
However, early Thursday, June 21, TMZ reported that police made an arrest and charged the man who shot XXXtentaction, 22-year-old Dedrick D. Williams, with murder.
1. He has a criminal past
According to TMZ, Williams has at least 11 felonies on his record. Upon his arrest, Williams was also charged with a violation of probation on a previous arrest for grand theft auto. TMZ noted that he has also been arrested in the past for possession of cocaine and weapons.
In 2014, Williams reportedly held a gun to his girlfriend’s head, earning him a charge for domestic violence and aggravated assault with a firearm.
2. He’s a tattoo artist
According to his Instagram page, he’s a tattoo artist. Ironically, he posted a photo in early June in his work uniform with the caption, “Thank God I ain’t dead or behind bars.” As of June 21, he is behind bars being held without bail.
3. There is a video of XXXtentacion’s mom learning about the arrest
An Instagram account called Streetwatcherz uploaded what is reportedly a video of XXX’s mom receiving word from detectives that they caught her son’s killer. In the video, his mom is at a vigil for her son and tells everyone there that she just got a text that “they got him.”
4. It’s unclear if the Williams knew XXXtentacion personally
When news of XXXtentacion’s death broke, many people looked to his rivalries in search of a suspect. However, after the murder police reportedly treated the shooting as a “possible robbery.” While XXX’s family allegedly believed his murder was “not random,” according to Williams’ Broward County Sheriff’s arrest record he was charged with murder without premeditation, leading us to believe the murder was not caused by a rivalry.
5. Police did not specify a motive
Though police originally considered XXXtentacion’s murder a “possible robbery gone wrong” because the suspects reportedly took a Louis Vuitton bag from the car, according to MTO News they have yet to specify a motive. According to the arrest record, police did not charge Williams with robbery.
Micki Spollen is a YourTango editor, writer, and traveler. Follow her on Instagram and keep up with her travels on her website.