On June 18, 2018, the world of music was shaken by a tragic event. The rising star, 20-year-old American rapper and singer-songwriter Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known professionally as XXXTentacion, was brutally murdered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. This article provides a detailed account of the events surrounding this heinous crime and its aftermath.
The Murder
On the fateful day, XXXTentacion went about his errands, visiting Bank of America to withdraw money before heading to RIVA Motorsports, an upscale seller of motorcycles and boats in Deerfield Beach. As he left the bank, he was followed by a dark-colored Dodge Journey SUV containing four individuals: Dedrick Williams, Robert Allen, Michael Boatwright, and Trayvon Newsome. These men had been driving around, searching for a potential victim to rob, and recognized Onfroy. They tracked and targeted him.
The assailants eventually cornered Onfroy in his car, robbing him of his chain and a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash. Tragically, the situation escalated as Michael Boatwright shot Onfroy six times, killing him. The murder was premeditated, as Williams had recognized Onfroy’s car from a previous encounter. The perpetrators planned to confirm his identity at the RIVA Motorsports dealership.
Security camera footage showed Robert Allen and Dedrick Williams following Onfroy inside the store. They purchased two black masks. After nearly half an hour, Onfroy left the dealership in his black BMW i8, attempting to drive away. The SUV blocked his exit, and the assailants, armed with firearms, demanded property from him. A brief struggle ensued, during which Onfroy’s step-uncle fled the car. Despite the robbery being over, Boatwright walked back, held his rifle, and fatally shot Onfroy, leaving him dead at the scene.
The murder took place near Parkland, Florida, where Onfroy lived at the time. Paramedics attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead later that day.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
In the aftermath of XXXTentacion’s death, authorities launched a manhunt for the suspects. Dedrick Williams was the first to be arrested on June 20, 2018, following a traffic stop that led to his detention.
On July 26, 2018, Robert Allen was arrested as a person of interest in the case. Michael Boatwright, initially detained on drug-related charges, was later formally charged with Onfroy’s murder on July 10, 2018.
Trayvon Newsome was arrested on August 7, 2018, completing the arrests of all four perpetrators.
During the legal proceedings, Robert Allen struck a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against the other three defendants. The trial of Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams began on February 7, 2023. On March 20, 2023, after eight days of jury deliberations, they were found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
In April 2023, Trayvon Newsome and Dedrick Williams were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Michael Boatwright received two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, along with an additional consecutive 30 years in prison.
Perpetrators
- Michael Boatwright: Born on September 12, 1995, Boatwright shot Onfroy six times without provocation. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years.
- Trayvon Newsome: Born on May 5, 1998, Newsome was one of the gunmen in the murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
- Dedrick Williams: Born on March 23, 1996, Williams was the main orchestrator and planner of the murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
- Robert Allen: Born on March 27, 1996, Allen testified against the other three defendants, cooperating with authorities to solve another unrelated cold case murder related to the ZMF gang. He was sentenced to seven years in prison with credit for time served, plus a consecutive 20 years of probation.
The murder of XXXTentacion sparked an outpouring of grief from his fans and the music community. Memorials, vigils, and tributes were held in his honor, and his music saw a significant increase in streams and sales. His highest-charting single, “Sad!”, topped the Billboard Hot 100 posthumously.
The tragic loss of XXXTentacion continues to resonate, not only for his musical contributions but also as a reminder of the violence that can sometimes plague the world of entertainment.