The emerging Chicago rapper King Von was shot and killed in Atlanta early Friday morning. Authorities have confirmed both on- and off-duty police officers were involved in the altercation. News of the rapper's passing has shaken the hip hop community, which has lost one of its most promising storytellers.
According to reports, King Von, born Dayvon Bennett, 26, was among two groups of men who began arguing outside of the Monaco Hookah Lounge around 3:20 a.m., ending in gunfire. An off-duty Atlanta police officer who was working at the hookah lounge and an officer who was patrolling nearby confronted the shooters, leading to additional shots fired.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the officers involved, cites that three people were discovered at the scene with gunshot wounds and transported to the hospital, while three others, including King Von, left the scene and were taken to the hospital in private vehicles.
“At this time, our investigators believe Mr. Bennett was shot during the initial shootout between the two groups of males, prior to police responding and attempting to stop the shooting,” the Atlanta police noted in a statement. “Part of the investigations will include determining which individuals were struck by gunfire from the suspects and whether any were struck by gunfire from the officers.”
King Von was just in the process of making a name for himself in the rap game. Tirelessly delivering mixtapes that earned him a reputation for his striking story-telling and wordplay, the world was just beginning to grasp Von's incredible talent and the rapper was on track to have a watershed year. Even at Highsnobiety, we recognized King Von's promise but were too late to step up to the plate. Another young rising star has gone too soon.
As the community reels with the heartbreaking news of King Von's passing, many of his associates, friends, and admirers in the industry are commemorating the late rapper on social media.
