Case file

Murder of Jahseh Onfroy (XXXTentacion)

SOLVED2018RIVA Motorsports, Deerfield Beach, Florida3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026

Illustrative

On June 18, 2018, Jahseh Onfroy — the rapper and singer-songwriter known as XXXTentacion — was leaving RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in his BMW i8 when two masked men approached his car and robbed him at gunpoint. He was shot three times and died from his wounds. His step-uncle, Leonard Kerr, was in the vehicle at the time and later testified that he fled the car believing it was his only chance to survive.

Dedrick Devonshay Williams was arrested two days after the killing and charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a firearm, and driving without a valid license. Robert Allen, Michael Boatwright, and Trayvon Newsome were arrested in the following months and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm; a grand jury later indicted all four on premeditated murder. In August 2022, Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery as part of a deal to testify against his co-defendants; he was sentenced in May 2023 to seven years in prison and was released on parole in October 2023.

The trial of Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams began February 7, 2023, in Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit. Prosecutors, led by Pascale Achille, presented surveillance video, forensic DNA evidence, cellphone location and Bluetooth data, and testimony from Allen describing how the group tracked Onfroy to RIVA Motorsports, trapped his car with a rented Dodge Journey, and robbed him of a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 and a gold chain, after which Boatwright shot him. Additional witnesses included eyewitness Scott Barbieux, Williams's former girlfriend Tenell Carter, lead detective John Curcio, and forensic DNA analyst Nicole Ihnat. Defense attorneys for all three defendants argued that authorities had rushed the investigation, and Williams's attorney raised the theory that rapper Drake, with whom Onfroy had a public feud, might have been involved; Drake was ordered to testify but that requirement was later canceled by the trial judge after Allen testified Drake had no role in planning the murder.

During the trial, Allen and a prison officer alleged that Newsome had attempted to intimidate Allen in a holding cell over his cooperation with prosecutors.

On March 20, 2023, after nearly two weeks of jury deliberation, all three defendants were found guilty on all charges. On April 6, 2023, Newsome and Williams were sentenced to mandatory life in prison without parole. Boatwright received two consecutive life sentences without parole plus 30 years. Victim impact statements were given by Onfroy's manager, Solomon Sobande, and his great-aunt. Presiding judge Michael A. Usan addressed Onfroy's family and fans directly, and separately condemned Boatwright's conduct at sentencing. In October 2024, Boatwright, while incarcerated, made an unauthorized social media post stating he was not sorry for his role in the killing.

Key facts

Victims: Jahseh Onfroy
Date: 2018
Location: RIVA Motorsports, Deerfield Beach, Florida
Case status: solved

Case timeline

2018-06-18
Jahseh Onfroy (XXXTentacion) is robbed and fatally shot outside RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
2018-06-20
Dedrick Williams is arrested and charged in connection with the killing.
2022-08-12
Robert Allen pleads guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery in exchange for testifying against the other three defendants.
2023-02-07
Trial of Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams begins.
2023-02-08
Robert Allen testifies against his co-defendants, detailing the planning and execution of the robbery and murder.
2023-02-14
Eyewitness Scott Barbieux testifies; Allen also testifies that rapper Drake had no involvement in the murder.
2023-02-15
Tenell Carter, Williams's former girlfriend, testifies that Williams confessed to orchestrating the crime.
2023-02-23
Lead detective John Curcio testifies about the investigation.
2023-02-28
Forensic DNA analyst Nicole Ihnat testifies about DNA evidence linking the defendants to masks used in the crime.
2023-03-03
Prosecution and defense rest their cases.
2023-03-20
Jury finds Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams guilty on all counts.
2023-04-06
Newsome and Williams sentenced to life without parole; Boatwright sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole plus 30 years.
2023-05-17
Robert Allen sentenced to seven years in prison with credit for time served, followed by 20 years probation.
2023-10-26
Robert Allen is released from prison and placed on probation.
2024-10
Boatwright unlawfully accesses Instagram from prison and posts a statement about the murder.

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People

Robert Allen
CONVICTED
Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery in exchange for testifying against co-defendants; sentenced to 7 years in prison with credit for time served, followed by 20 years probation.
Jahseh Onfroy
VICTIM
Rapper and singer-songwriter (XXXTentacion), robbed and fatally shot on June 18, 2018.
Michael Boatwright
CONVICTED
Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as the shooter; sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole plus 30 years.
Trayvon Newsome
CONVICTED
Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as one of the gunmen; sentenced to mandatory life without parole.
Dedrick Williams
CONVICTED
Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as the main orchestrator; sentenced to mandatory life without parole.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

RIVA Motorsports, Deerfield Beach, Florida

26.3184, -80.0998

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?: Rapper Jahseh Onfroy, known as XXXTentacion, was robbed and fatally shot in his car outside a Deerfield Beach motorcycle shop on June 18, 2018. Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams were convicted in March 2023 of premeditated murder and armed robbery and sentenced to life without parole; a fourth participant, Robert Allen, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and testified for the prosecution.
Where did the murder happen?: RIVA Motorsports, Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Who was convicted?: Robert Allen (Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery in exchange for testifying against co-defendants; sentenced to 7 years in prison with credit for time served, followed by 20 years probation.), Michael Boatwright (Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as the shooter; sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole plus 30 years.), Trayvon Newsome (Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as one of the gunmen; sentenced to mandatory life without parole.), and Dedrick Williams (Convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and armed robbery; identified at trial as the main orchestrator; sentenced to mandatory life without parole.).
What is the current status of the case?: Status: solved.

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Sources

XXXTentacion murder trialwikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
Robert Allen to testify against co-defendants in killing of rapper XXXTentacionnews · CBS News · 2026-07-07
Defense in XXXTentacion murder trial suggests Drake could be tied to slayingnews · New York Post · 2026-07-07