The tragic death of Chicago-born rapper King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett, has sent shockwaves through the music community and beyond. The 22-year-old was fatally wounded in an Atlanta shooting, and authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with the incident. This article delves into the details of the shooting, the ensuing investigation, and what we currently know about the circumstances surrounding this devastating event. While investigations are still underway to clarify the specifics of the gunfire, including questions surrounding How Many Times Was Von Shot, this report provides a comprehensive overview of the incident as it unfolded.
The events leading to the fatal shooting began in the early hours of Friday morning outside a hookah lounge in Atlanta. According to police reports, two groups of men became embroiled in a heated argument at approximately 3:20 a.m. Two off-duty Atlanta police officers, present at the lounge as part of an extra duty assignment, witnessed the confrontation escalate rapidly. As the argument intensified, it tragically devolved into gunfire exchanged between the two groups.
In addition to the off-duty officers, an on-duty Atlanta Police Department officer patrolling nearby also responded to the scene as shots rang out. During the encounter, shots were fired as officers confronted the individuals involved in the shooting. The chaotic scene resulted in multiple gunshot victims. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported three individuals with gunshot wounds to local hospitals, while three others were taken to hospitals via private vehicles. Police also detained two individuals at the scene as part of their initial response and investigation.
Tragically, officials confirmed later that Friday afternoon that three of the shooting victims succumbed to their injuries, including King Von. Three others remained hospitalized for treatment of their gunshot wounds. Fortunately, none of the police officers involved in the incident sustained any injuries.
Initial rumors and speculation following the shooting suggested that King Von may have been killed by police gunfire. However, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) has clarified that their investigators believe the rapper was shot during the initial exchange of gunfire between the two groups, before police officers intervened to stop the shooting. To ensure transparency and thoroughness, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested to conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting aspect of the incident. APD homicide investigators are also conducting a parallel investigation focusing on the deaths and circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A key part of the ongoing investigations will be to determine definitively who fired the shots that struck each victim. This includes ascertaining whether any individuals were struck by gunfire from the initial suspects involved in the argument and whether any were struck by gunfire from the responding police officers. Timothy Leeks, a 22-year-old man, has been charged with felony murder in connection with King Von’s death and is currently in police custody at an Atlanta hospital, receiving treatment for a gunshot wound he sustained during the incident. Authorities anticipate additional charges against the two suspects who were detained at the scene, and further charges are possible as the investigation progresses and more details emerge about the sequence of events and how many times each victim was shot. The identities of the other victims who died in the shooting are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin. The investigation into this complex and tragic incident remains very active and ongoing as law enforcement officials work to piece together the events of that early Friday morning and bring clarity to all aspects of the case.
