Just two days after the death of XXXTentacion on June 18 in Deerfield Beach, Fla., a suspect has now been arrested.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed to XXL that Dedrick Devonshay Williams was taken into custody on Wednesday (June 20) shortly before 7 p.m. Williams, who is 22 years old and a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as a probation violation for theft of a car motor vehicle and driving without a valid license.
XXXTentacion was shot and killed on June 18 shortly after 4 p.m. after leaving RIVA Motorsports. According to police, the rapper was approached by two armed suspects and at least one of the men opened fire, hitting X. It’s uncertain at the time if police are still searching for other suspects.
The rapper’s mother, Cleopatra Bernard, learned of the arrest on Wednesday night during a vigil she held at X’s Florida mansion. In a video from the event, the mother can be seen revealing she just received a text about the arrest. “I just got the text, just now—they just arrested them,” she can be heard saying.
Prior to Williams’ arrest, authorities were focused on rapper Soldier Kidd as a suspect, after the artist posted a photo of food with a gun on his lap within an hour of the shooting. The rapper had also posted a photo with Soldier Jojo, which featured a red mask in the picture—something witnesses say the shooter was wearing.
Soldier Kidd denied any involvement in the murder, saying he had love for X, as well as the state of Florida. “We out here handling business. We out here gettin’ money, bro. We don’t got no time for none of this shit goin’ on,” he said in an Instagram video. “But listen, all my condolences go to the man’s family and what not. But I just gotta get on the ‘gram and let ya’ know what it is, you feel me? I ain’t had nothing to do with it but I’ma stay positive, keep my head up.”
Following X’s death, there has been an outpouring of love from his fans and the hip-hop community. The rapper’s father, Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, also spoke about X’s passing, thanking fans for their thoughts and prayers. “I will mourn my child from Monday to Monday—seven days. And after seven days, I will forever celebrate my child’s life. All he accomplished. Everything and everyone he touched. I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.