XXXTentacion shooting: Police name second person of interest in murder case
Just two days following the death of XXXTentacion — the 20-year-old rapper who was shot to death in Florida — police managed to take into custody a man believed to be the main suspect in the murder. And now, almost a week later just hours before XXX's open casket funeral, a new person of interest has been identified and he is also believed to be directly related to the late rapper's shooting.
A 22-year-old man called Robert Allen was named by the Broward Sheriff's office Wednesday, as per reports by WPLG News. Following up the surveillance footage from the CCTV camera at the car dealership which XXX was believed to be visiting, police were able to identify Allen at the specific shop just "shortly before" XXXTentacion's estimated 3:30 p.m. local time arrival.
XXX was shot several times in his vehicle at Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he was visiting a car dealership to shop for motorcycles. And as per recent police records, authorities have also noted that the second main suspect, Allen, had been previously arrested before on 22 counts of ID fraud, back in 2016.
As for the arrest made within 48 hours after XXX's death, the suspect — Dedrick D. Williams — has been was charged with first-degree murder. As per police reports, in what was initially believed to be a robbery gone wrong, Williams is alleged to have blocked the rapper's car with an SUV before approaching him with a second accomplice. Authorities have reported that both the men involved were armed at that time.
However, Williams' attorney — Mauricio Padilla — pleaded him not guilty. "It's difficult when you're dealing with media cases because, as you know, they take on a life of their own nowadays with social media," he told reporters. "But we're really focused on trying this case in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion."
As per other reports by TMZ on Wednesday, police are continuing their extensive search for "at least" two other suspects. Broward authorities — who were the ones to confirm XXX's death — are also reported to be working closely with the US Marshals Service in the investigation.
Following his murder — all fans and followers, including the family of XXXTentacion — whose real name is Jahseh Dwyane Onfroy are gathering at a Florida arena to remember him in what is believed to be an open casket funeral. The viewing is taking place this afternoon at the 20,000 seat BB&T Center in Sunrise.
Despite his troubled past and many tiffs with the law, a tribute video of the rapper is said to be playing during the first hour of the viewing and amongst several celebrity guests, all of his fans will have their last chance at saying goodbye to him too as was shared in a recent post on his Instagram page.