Short man with dreadlocks wanted as DJ Warras shot dead near Joburg's Carlton Centre

Police investigating the killing of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, say the primary suspect is a short man with dreadlocks.

Video footage shows him approaching Warras as he was leaving Zambesi House in Johannesburg’s CBD and opening fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, December 16, before attempting to flee.

According to Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana, the suspects also left cartridges at the scene.

The shooting, which took place opposite the Carlton Centre, was not a drive-by attack.

Kekana said video footage shows the suspect sitting near Warras’ car and one other suspects, dressed in some sort of a security uniform. Police are actively tracing both the suspect and the weapon.

Kekana highlighted challenges posed by the building near the scene where the majority of occupants are unauthorised. He said that Warras was allegedly a co-owner of the Zambesi House, and investigations into the ownership and its occupants are ongoing.

Authorities are appealing to eyewitnesses and members of the community who may have seen the suspects to come forward. “We know they walked a long distance after the shooting, and officers have been tracking them to determine their whereabouts,” Kekana said.

The motive for Warras’ killing remains under investigation. While there are suggestions it could relate to hijacked buildings, police say they are keeping an open mind and following all leads.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, family members used bottles of water to wash the pavement where DJ Warras was shot dead, quietly trying to restore a measure of dignity at a scene that had held them for hours.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed that JMPD officers were the first responders after being stopped by members of the public who alerted them to the shooting.

Family members and friends remained at the scene for several hours as police and forensic services carried out their work. Those present said they made efforts to leave the area but were asked to wait until the pathology service van had departed. The body was removed later in the afternoon, shortly after 4pm, after the scene was finally cleared.

Speaking from the crime scene, the DJ’s sister, Nicole Stock, appealed for calm and respect.

“We have been here for a couple of hours, and we don’t know what to say. We ask South Africans to please give the police space to complete their investigation,” she said.

She also urged the public to focus on who her brother was, rather than speculation around his death.

“He spoke up about many issues, including controversial ones, but let us not focus on the negative. He was a good guy, selfless, and he loved everybody. He found humour in things and believed there should be no division in who we are as South Africans.”

Tributes poured in from the entertainment industry, with fellow DJ PH describing him as “full of energy” and “a solid gent”.

“He was a loving father, worked at YFM and 5FM, and had been podcasting for the last two years. He had a great strategic mind and was involved in several ventures, including security. It’s hard to speak about him in the past,” he said.

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie also reacted to the killing, saying he was angry and saddened by the loss.

“Indeed, DJ Warras has been killed. He spoke his truth without fear or favour. He even spoke up against me and my decisions as a minister. He loved the Zulu language and Afrikaans. He was a pure example of who we should be,” McKenzie said.

DJ Warras was born in Durban and worked at various radio stations including YFM, 5FM and Gagazi FM.

Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward on 08600 10111.