On June 18, 2018, the rapper XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was shot and killed in Deerfield Beach, Florida. His death shocked the music industry and resulted in a complicated legal battle.
The Fatal Incident
XXXTentacion visited RIVA Motorsports on June 18, 2018. On his way out, two armed men stopped his car and asked for money. They shot him multiple times and fled with a Louis Vuitton bag containing 50,000 dollars. Emergency responders swiftly transported him to Broward Health North Hospital, but doctors ultimately pronounced him dead.
Arrests and Charges
Authorities arrested Four men in the case: Dedrick Williams, Michael Boatwright, Robert Allen, and Trayvon Newsome. Police arrested Williams two days after the shooting. On July 5, 2018, Boatwright was arrested on unrelated charges and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. Allen was arrested by authorities on July 26, 2018, and, shortly afterward, they apprehended Newsome on August 7, 2018, charging all four individuals with first-degree murder and armed robbery to highlight the case’s severity.
Trial Proceedings
The trial of Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams began on February 7, 2023. Robert Allen had entered a guilty plea in August 2022 on a second-degree murder charge in return for his testimony against his co-defendants. Prosecutors at trial introduced surveillance video, cellphone records, and testimony connecting the defendants to the crime. The jury convicted all three men in deliberations on March 20, 2023.
Sentencing
On April 6, 2023, the court sentenced Michael Boatwright to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole and an additional 30 years. Trayvon Newsome and Dedrick Williams both received life sentences without the possibility of parole, marking a pivotal moment in the case. Robert Allen cooperated with authorities and received a sentence of seven years in prison, followed by 20 years of probation.
Aftermath and Impact
XXXTentacion’s death had a profound impact on fans and the music community. The week after his death, his single “Sad!” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, becoming the first posthumous solo lead artist to have a No. 1 single since The Notorious B.I.G. achieved the feat in 1997. Memorials and tributes flooded in, honoring his impact and the loss left by his untimely death.
The legal process was a measure of closure, but losing such a young talent still echoes. The case also brought attention to issues related to gun violence and the vulnerability of public figures.
