Suspect arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder in killing of rapper XXXTentacion
Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of young rapper XXXTentacion.
Dedrick Devonshay Williams of Pompano Beach, Florida, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the slaying of the up-and-coming rapper, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, according to an arrest report by the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
Williams is also charged with one count of probation violation and one count of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. The 22-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday evening in Pompano Beach, according to a statement by the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
The report stated that a detective "visually observed Defendant Williams unlawfully operate" a 2004 Silver Honda Accord. "Defendant Williams does not have a valid Florida license and currently has a suspended ID Card," the report said.
After contact was made, Williams was "placed into custody for an active felony arrest," the report continued.
He is currently being held without bond in the Broward County Sheriff's Office main jail, according to the report.
XXXTentacion, 20, was shot and killed in Broward County Monday night, the sheriff's office confirmed on Twitter.
The Florida-born rapper was leaving a Deerfield Beach motorsports dealership at around 4 p.m. when two armed men approached him and opened fire in an apparent robbery attempt, police said.
His lawyer, David Bogenschutz, told South Florida's Sun-Sentinel newspaper that police were investigating the killing as a "random robbery."
"I think he went to the bank before it happened," he said. "I think the determination was that he wanted to buy a motorcycle, but [detectives] are not discounting any theory."
The Soundcloud rap star scored a No. 1 album earlier this year with his disc, titled "?" as well as a top-10 song, "Sad!" His previous album, "17," reached No. 2 last year. His songs have racked up nearly 4 billion on-demand streams combined.
The rapper had a long history of legal problems and was facing more than a dozen felony charges, as well as allegations of domestic violence. He was awaiting trial on those charges, according to multiple sources.
XXXTentacion had also caused controversy for his involvement in a variety of feuds with other artists, including Drake, and for social media scandals: He once posted a video pretending to show him hanging himself, and a video of himself pretending to lynch a white child.
News of his death sent shockwaves across social media. Kanye West, J. Cole and Pusha T were among the many celebrities to send their condolences via Twitter.
But some fans have engaged in various conspiracy theories suggesting that the rapper is still alive, despite his lawyer’s comments.
There have been posts pointing out discrepancies in his facial tattoos and questioning the lack of visible blood and shattered glass in footage from the murder scene.
Others suggested that XXXTentacion faked his death as part of a prank for a future video release.
The rapper has rapped about his death in the past.
In a video he posted on Instagram in February, which is circulating online, XXXTentacion tells fans, "If I'm gonna die, or ever be a sacrifice, I want to make sure that my life made at least 5 million kids happy - or they found some sort of answers or resolve in my life. Regardless of the negative around my name."
ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.
