DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - As the man accused of killing South Florida rapper XXXTentacion returned to court, detectives revealed that two other gunmen who remain at large were likely also involved in the fatal shooting.
His hands cuffed and feet shackled, 22-year-old Dedrick Devonshay Williams walked into the courtroom, Monday morning.
Officials said Williams was out on probation at the time of June 18 shooting. He was taken into custody two days later and charged with murder.
Williams has been in and out of jail since he was 18. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
7News cameras captured a makeshift memorial outside of Riva Motorsports near Sample Road and North Dixie Highway in Deerfield Beach, near the spot where XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was fatally gunned down as he was driving out of the business in a BMW.
In his arrest report, Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives wrote, “There is probable cause to believe that Dedrick Devonshay Williams had an active part in the murder of [redacted] by blocking the victim’s vehicle so that the two gunmen could rob the victim at gunpoint.”
The report echoes what BSO spokesperson Keyla Concepcion told reporters on the day of the murder. “He was approached by two armed suspects. At least one of the suspects fired a weapon. At this point it appears to be a robbery,” she said.
Investigators used surveillance video from Riva Motorsports, as well as images posted to XXXTentacion’s social media platforms, to identify Williams. Before he was apprehended, he shared a photo with the caption, “Don’t piss me off u will never know wats [sic] next.”
Monday wasn’t the first time Williams was at the Broward County Courthouse. He once posted a picture that showed him sitting in an old pay phone booth at the building.
His attorney, Mauricio Padilla, hopes his client receives a fair trial. “Just because you’re dealing with media cases — because, as you know, they take on a life of their own nowadays with social media — we’re really focused on trying this case in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion,” he said.
As the investigation continues, XXXTentacion’s fans seem to be more concerned with his death. “You could arrest anyone you want at the moment, but the truth is, we lost a special soul,” said a fan who came to the makeshift memorial.
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