Grief as Beloved South African DJ Gunned Down in the City of Johannesburg.

The media personality was attacked in broad daylight.
Warrick Stock was shot by a suspect with dreadlocked hair in broad daylight, officials state.

A prominent South African radio and club DJ has been shot dead in the country's largest city Johannesburg, sending shockwaves across a nation struggling with entrenched crime.

Warrick Stock, who went by the name DJ Warras, was attacked in the central business district on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials stated the forty-year-old media personality was approached by a trio of assailants, with one opened fire on him before fleeing on foot.

The reason behind the shooting has not been established and no one has been arrested have taken place, according to authorities.

Details of the Attack

Law enforcement said that Stock was attacked as he was leaving a building near the city center landmark.

He had been present for hours at the site supervising the setup of safety equipment, which had been reportedly taken over by unknown people, as per local media.

"The report indicates the victim was approached by three unknown suspects after he parked his car, and they shot at him before running from the location on foot," a police statement stated.

Security camera video showed a man with dreadlocks and wearing what appeared to be a guard's attire opening fire on Stock before making his escape.

The DJ sought to escape after he was shot but succumbed to his injuries across the street.

Police added that Stock had an gun that was not fired and it was not a robbery during the attack.

Important clues, like bullet casings, were recovered from the location.

Appeal for Witnesses

Officials are asking members of the public who may have have information to contact them.

"We know they covered significant ground after the shooting, and officers have been attempting to locate them to find their destination," stated a police chief.

Family and Public Reaction

His sister, Nicole Stock, stated the family was struggling to process his death.

"Words fail me. I cannot express the pain," she stated.
"We know he was a champion for numerous individuals. He addressed issues courageously about topics not many people were ready to discuss. This is a tremendous loss."

She appealed to the community to avoid sharing graphic images from the incident, noting this was an deeply traumatic time, especially for Stock's children.

A Multifaceted Career

Stock was the star of Ngicel' iVisa, a series that aired on a South African digital satellite entertainment channel.

Beyond his media career, Stock was active in various commercial activities, including security provision, offering VIP protection services and securing major functions across South Africa.

He was also reportedly involved in property management and participated in tenant removals.

Condolences Pour In

His murder has shocked the country and prompted an flood of condolences from his fans, the authorities and political parties.

A senior figure remarked he was furious and grief-stricken by Stock's murder.

"He was forthright boldly and honestly. He even challenged me and my policies as a minister. He was a shining model of who we should be," was his tribute.

A public representative said the "audacious attack of DJ Warras in broad daylight is a shock for all South Africans".

A media executive noted that "Stock was far beyond a TV personality. He was a gifted communicator, a true devotee of sound and a kind-hearted individual who brought excitement and dynamism to every performance. His commitment to his craft left an profound impact."

In a release, the channel he worked for declared Stock was known for his presence, approachability and quick humor, adding that his memory "will be remembered".

The Broader Picture

South Africa, the African economic powerhouse, has one of the globally elevated murder rates, exacerbated by robberies and syndicate wars, with some dozens of citizens murdered daily according to recent data, according to police data.

Stephanie Dominguez
Stephanie Dominguez

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and future tech trends across Europe.