The tragic death of Chicago drill star King Von (Dayvon Daquan Bennett) in November 2020 remains one of the most polarizing and scrutinized events in recent hip-hop history. The intense public interest, fueled by widely circulated surveillance (CCTV) and police bodycam footage of the fatal altercation, continues to generate discussion, especially following the major legal developments in the case. As of today, December 16, 2025, the narrative has shifted dramatically from a clear-cut murder case to a complex legal argument involving self-defense, a change that has reignited debates among fans, legal experts, and the hip-hop community.
The core of the controversy lies in the raw, chaotic footage that captured the fight outside the Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia, and the subsequent gunfire. While the videos clearly show the sequence of events leading to the shooting of King Von by Timothy "Lul Tim" Leeks, the legal interpretation of those actions—specifically the dismissal of the murder charge—is what provides the most crucial, and often misunderstood, update to this high-profile case.
King Von: Complete Biography and Legacy of Dayvon Daquan Bennett
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was born on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois. His life and music were inextricably linked to the Parkway Gardens apartment complex, famously known as O'Block, where he spent his formative years. This environment became the central, gritty backdrop for his incisive storytelling.
Von’s rise in the drill music scene was rapid and intense, largely due to his affiliation with fellow Chicago rapper Lil Durk and Durk’s record label, Only The Family (OTF).
Key Biographical Milestones
- Full Name: Dayvon Daquan Bennett
- Born: August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois
- Died: November 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia (Age 26)
- Affiliations: O’Block, Only The Family (OTF), Lil Durk
- Debut Single: "Crazy Story" (2018), which immediately showcased his narrative talent.
- Debut Album: Welcome to O'Block (2020), released just weeks before his death, which solidified his status as a leading voice in drill music.
- Notable Nickname: "Grandson," a reference to the infamous Chicago gangster David Barksdale.
His music, characterized by vivid, cinematic narratives of street life, violence, and survival, resonated deeply with a global audience, making him one of the fastest-rising stars in the genre. His posthumous career has been equally successful, with his music continuing to chart and his legacy becoming a defining element of the Chicago drill sound.
The Controversy of the King Von Shot Footage and Viral Videos
The night of November 6, 2020, outside the Monaco Hookah Lounge on the 300 block of S. Piedmont Ave in Atlanta, was captured in its entirety by multiple security cameras. This footage, which quickly leaked and went viral on social media, became the primary evidence and the source of immense public fascination and debate.
What the Footage Revealed
The available footage is generally divided into two main categories, each providing a different perspective on the chaos:
- Surveillance (CCTV) Footage: This video, often grainy and taken from a distance, shows the initial confrontation. It captured King Von and his entourage approaching a vehicle containing rapper Quando Rondo and his crew. The video shows Von initiating a physical attack on Quando Rondo. The footage then quickly escalates into a large brawl, followed by the appearance of a shooter—identified as Timothy "Lul Tim" Leeks—who fires multiple shots.
- Police Bodycam Footage: Released later, the police body camera footage shows the immediate aftermath of the shooting. This material is highly sensitive, documenting the arrival of the Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers, the chaotic scene, and the moments when King Von was taken into custody by police and later transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This footage also includes the detention of others, such as fellow O'Block member Bosstop, who was seen asking for updates on Von's condition.
The immediate public reaction to the footage was a mix of shock and confirmation of the violent lifestyle often depicted in drill music. For the Atlanta Police Department, the incident was complicated by the fact that the shooting involved both civilian gunfire (Lul Tim) and an exchange of fire with off-duty police officers working nearby, though the fatal shots were attributed to Leeks.
The Legal Aftermath: Why the Murder Charge Against Lul Tim Was Dismissed
The most significant and recent update to the King Von shooting case is the legal status of the alleged shooter, Timothy "Lul Tim" Leeks. In 2023, the felony murder charge against Leeks was officially dismissed by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office.
This dismissal, confirmed by Leeks' attorney, Noah Pines, did not declare Leeks innocent, but rather indicated that the prosecution would not proceed with the murder case. The decision hinges on a critical legal principle in the state of Georgia: the "Stand Your Ground" law.
The "Stand Your Ground" Defense
The "Stand Your Ground" law in Georgia allows a person to use deadly force without a duty to retreat if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to themselves or a third party.
The evidence presented, particularly the surveillance footage, was crucial in establishing the defense’s argument:
- Initial Aggression: The footage appears to show King Von initiating the physical attack on Quando Rondo.
- Defense of Others: Lul Tim, an associate of Quando Rondo, intervened in the fight. The legal argument posits that Leeks was acting in defense of his friend, Quando Rondo, from a potentially lethal attack.
- Reasonable Fear: Given the nature of the brawl and the escalating violence, the defense likely argued that Leeks had a reasonable fear for his life and Rondo's life, justifying the use of deadly force under the "Stand Your Ground" statute.
The dismissal of the murder charge against Timothy Leeks in 2023 strongly suggests that the Fulton County District Attorney determined they could not overcome the "Stand Your Ground" defense beyond a reasonable doubt in a trial.
The Lingering Impact on Hip-Hop Culture and OTF
King Von’s death and the subsequent legal developments have had a profound and lasting impact on the hip-hop community, particularly on his label, OTF, and its founder, Lil Durk. Von was not just a successful artist; he was a central figure and a symbol of O'Block's identity.
His passing created a void that led to an increase in musical tributes and a renewed focus on the dangers and complexities of the street life depicted in drill music. The tragedy also intensified the ongoing tension between various factions in the Chicago and Atlanta rap scenes.
The legal outcome, while closing a chapter for Timothy Leeks, has left many fans and peers dissatisfied, viewing the dismissal as an injustice. This sentiment continues to fuel the narrative around Von's legacy, cementing his status as a martyr figure in the genre. The controversy surrounding the footage, the fight, and the legal ruling ensures that the name King Von remains a constant, highly searched, and deeply debated topic years after his untimely death. The continuous discussion and analysis of the shot footage and the legal nuances are a testament to the powerful, yet tragic, legacy of Dayvon Daquan Bennett.
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