ATLANTA — Atlanta police have charged a man with felony murder in the shooting of an upcoming Chicago rapper outside a downtown hookah lounge.
King Von, whose real name is Dayvon Bennett, was one of two people killed in a shootout in a parking lot next to Monaco Hookah Lounge Friday. Four others were injured with one in critical condition.
Atlanta police announced Saturday that they have arrest warrants for 22-year-old Timothy Leeks for felony murder. He is currently in custody at Grady Hospital where he is recovering from a gunshot wound.
Leeks is from Savannah. In August, eh and 5 others were charged in receiving stolen guns, more than 15 pounds of marijuana and nearly $16k.
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The shooting happened around 3 a.m. Friday morning. Police said Bennett and a group of men left the Opium nightclub and headed to the Monaco Hookah Lounge on Trinity Avenue.
Two men approached the group in the parking lot and the groups started to argue. The argument escalated into gunfire.
Two off-duty Atlanta police officers and an on-duty officer heard the shootout nearby and responded. Shots were exchanged during the encounter. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to the scene which is protocol for shootings involving police.
Atlanta investigators told Channel 2′s Lauren Pozen that they believe Bennett was shot during the initial shootout between the two groups, prior to police responding. The officers were not injured.
“Additionally, Mr. Bennett was not located at the scene, but arrived at a hospital shortly after the shooting, via private vehicle,” Atlanta police said.
More charges are likely against the others involved.