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Shots in the CBD: Radio Producer DJ Warras Killed in Broad Daylight
Shots in the CBD: Radio Producer DJ Warras Killed in Broad Daylight
Johannesburg’s city centre, already tense with year-end traffic and festive crowds, was shaken on Tuesday afternoon by news that Warrick Stock, better known as DJ Warras, had been shot and killed in the CBD.
Stock, a former 5FM presenter and Cliff Central producer, was gunned down near the Carlton Centre a landmark many Joburgers associate with daily hustle rather than violent crime in the open street. He was 40 years old.
What Police Say Happened
According to police, DJ Warras had just parked his vehicle when he was approached by three unknown suspects. Shots were fired, and the attackers fled the scene on foot. The motive for the killing remains unclear.
Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner Fred Kekana later confirmed that CCTV footage shows a man with dreadlocks, wearing what appeared to be a security uniform, firing the fatal shot. At the time of reporting, no arrests had been made and the investigation was ongoing.
A Familiar and Disturbing Pattern
For many in the music and media industry, the killing reopened old wounds. DJ Warras joins a growing list of South African DJs whose lives have been cut short by gun violence, including DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos.
Forensic investigator Chad Thomas noted how unsettling the trend has become, particularly given DJ Warras’ reported involvement in the VIP protection and private security space a sector increasingly linked to high-stakes disputes and violent competition.
He suggested that rivalries over lucrative protection contracts, especially in urban centres like the Johannesburg CBD, have turned some security operations into battlegrounds rather than safeguards.
RIP Warras @Shady_Lurker 💔🕊️ pic.twitter.com/MNSWCsDX8y
The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) December 16, 2025
Tributes and Online Shock
The reaction online was immediate and emotional. Businessman Rob Hersov, a friend of DJ Warras, described him as “one of the most loving, compassionate and decent human beings,” calling his death “a tragedy beyond belief.”
@Shady_Lurker aka Warras, Rest in Peace! We love you 🕊️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/v4lhyJ0rLB
Rob Hersov (@RobertHersov) December 16, 2025
Musicians, broadcasters and public figures echoed the shock, with many questioning how public figures can still be killed so brazenly in daylight. Musician The Kiffness speculated online about possible links to security-related work, while others expressed anger and exhaustion at South Africa’s ongoing violence.
Even politicians weighed in, with Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie describing DJ Warras as “a man who spoke his truth.”
As someone who was in the security industry in South Africa & constantly in the public eye through podcasts & interviews, DJ Warras was never invisible. His profile made him a marked man. In that world, visibility comes at a cost, and sooner or later, a price is put on your head. pic.twitter.com/ohdaiOk3IH
Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) December 16, 2025
The brazen murder of Dj Warras in broad daylight is a true shock to all South Africans. I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans in this difficult time.
We have lost one of the most outspoken and patriotic young South Africans. Dj Warras was someone who… pic.twitter.com/iPLwUSkyDt
Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) December 16, 2025
A City on Edge
The killing comes just days after another high-profile shooting in Gauteng, reinforcing public fears about safety especially in city centres meant to be economic hubs. Social media users pointed out the bitter irony that DJ Warras was still posting online just hours before his death.
Ummm … 😳
Whaaaat? She was carrying “2 weapons” The thieves had no chance 😂 https://t.co/OxethAsDyzWarras (@Shady_Lurker) December 16, 2025
As police continue their investigation, Johannesburg mourns another creative voice lost too soon and asks, once again, how many more names will be added to this growing list before something changes.
{Source: The Citizen}
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