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CCTV footage in the Johannesburg CBD has shown a man with dreadlocks opening fire on Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras.
The grainy but disturbing video, now in the hands of investigators, captures the final moments before one of South Africa’s most recognisable media personalities was killed in broad daylight. The shooting, which took place shortly after midday on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the city and reignited fears about violent crime in the heart of Johannesburg.
Stock, a radio and television presenter and podcaster, was leaving Zambesi House, a mixed-use building near the Carlton Centre, when he was confronted. Within seconds, the footage shows a suspect approaching him at close range before opening fire. The attacker then fled the scene, disappearing into the dense network of streets that criss-cross the CBD.
Emergency services were alerted almost immediately. Members of the public stopped Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers who were patrolling nearby, prompting a rapid response. By the time authorities arrived, Stock had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.
Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana confirmed that several cartridges were found at the location, strengthening the view that the attack was deliberate and targeted. He also revealed that Stock was in possession of his licensed firearm at the time of the shooting, and that none of his belongings were taken.
“This was not a robbery,” Kekana said. “Nothing was taken from the deceased. His firearm was still on him.”
The absence of theft has added urgency to the investigation, as police work to determine who the attackers were and why Stock was singled out. Initial assessments suggest the suspects may have been lying in wait.
Further analysis of the CCTV footage has revealed that at least two suspects may have been involved. One man, believed to be the shooter, is seen sitting near Stock’s vehicle moments before the attack. Another individual, described as wearing clothing resembling a security uniform, is also visible in the footage.
Police have not yet confirmed whether the second suspect played an active role in the shooting or acted as a lookout. Both suspects fled on foot, and officers believe they travelled a considerable distance after the incident.
“We know they walked a long distance after the shooting,” Kekana said. “Our teams have been tracking their movements and are following up on all possible leads to determine their whereabouts.”
The search for the suspects has been complicated by the nature of the building where the shooting occurred. Zambesi House is known to house a large number of unauthorised occupants, a factor police say poses significant investigative challenges.
Kekana disclosed that Stock was allegedly a co-owner of the building, a detail that has opened another line of enquiry for detectives. Investigators are now examining the ownership structure of the property and the identities of those living and operating inside it.
“The majority of occupants in that building are unauthorised,” Kekana said. “This creates difficulties when gathering information, but our teams are working through it carefully.”
The possibility that the killing may be linked to disputes around hijacked buildings has not been ruled out. Johannesburg has seen a rise in violent incidents connected to illegally occupied properties, particularly in the inner city. However, police have cautioned against speculation.
“At this stage, the motive remains unknown,” Kekana said. “There are suggestions, but we are keeping an open mind and following all leads.”
Authorities have appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation. Anyone who may have seen the suspects before or after the shooting, or who recognises them from the CCTV footage, has been urged to contact police.
The killing of DJ Warras has drawn widespread reaction from across the country, particularly within the media and entertainment industries where he was well known and widely respected. Colleagues and fans have described him as outspoken, passionate and deeply committed to his work.
As the investigation continued at the scene, Stock’s family arrived, visibly shaken by the unfolding events. Speaking to eNCA, his sister, Nicole Stock, made an emotional appeal for restraint and respect.
“We have been here for a couple of hours, and we don’t know what to say,” she said. “We ask South Africans to please give the police space to complete their investigation.”
Her plea underscored the rawness of the moment, as forensic teams continued to comb the area for evidence and detectives interviewed potential witnesses.
The shooting has once again raised concerns about safety in Johannesburg’s central business district, an area that remains a hub of economic and cultural activity but is increasingly associated with violent crime.
Business owners, residents and workers in the area have expressed fear and frustration, questioning how a high-profile figure could be killed so openly, in the middle of the day, in a busy part of the city.
For law enforcement, the pressure is mounting. The presence of CCTV footage has created expectations of swift arrests, while the public demands answers about how such an attack could take place undetected.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, police have insisted that they are making progress. Officers are analysing the footage frame by frame, tracking possible escape routes and cross-referencing information with other cases in the area.
The weapon used in the killing has not yet been recovered, and authorities believe it could provide critical clues once found. Ballistic tests on the cartridges recovered at the scene are also under way.
As tributes continue to pour in for Warrick Stock, the focus remains firmly on the unanswered questions surrounding his death. Who ordered the hit, who carried it out, and why he was targeted are questions that continue to haunt both investigators and the public.
For now, what has been confirmed is chilling in its simplicity: a well-known media figure was shot and killed in broad daylight, captured on CCTV, with his attackers still at large. And it is this stark reality — revealed only after the footage was reviewed — that has transformed a tragic death into a case that has gripped the nation.
