By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former 5FM Disc Jockey and Cliff Central producer Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras was gunned down in Carlton Centre, Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon.
Warras, was involved in property management, ran a security company, JT VIP: Elite Guarding & VIP Protection Services that assisted with building evictions and safeguarding high-profile events across South Africa.
Fullview learnt Warras was shot while managing security at a building.
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the shooting incident.
“It is alleged that the victim was approached by three unknown suspects after parking his vehicle, and they opened fire at him before fleeing the scene on foot.
“The motive for the shooting is currently unknown.
“No arrest has been made yet, and the investigation is underway.”
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Xolani Fihla also confirmed the shooting.
“JMPD officers were first respondents to the incident … they were stopped by members of the public who alerted them to the shooting.
Just hours before the shooting, Warras was still active on social media. His last post is now being shared widely, as people worry it may be his final words.
His shooting is part of a troubling trend that has been going on for the past five years, during which time a number of DJs have been shot—many of them fatally—in what police have frequently referred to as targeted attacks.
In November 2022, Oupa John Sefoka, better known as DJ Sumbody, was killed in Gauteng.
Stock’s sister Nicole, speaking from the scene of his murder, “I’m still in shock; I haven’t processed it officially. I’ve just touched his body, it’s still warm.
“Ja, I don’t actually have words. I don’t know what to say. I’m broken, I’m shattered because we know he was a voice for many people around the country and even around the world.
“You know, he spoke out bravely about so many issues that not many people will speak about. It’s truly a tremendous loss not only to us as a family, but to a nation as well.”
Among those who expressed sadness at Stock’s murder was businessman Rob Hersov, who called Stock his “friend” and “brother”.
Stock’s killing came 11 days after a private security company director, Marius van der Merwe, was fatally shot outside his home in Brakpan on the evening of 5 December.
This story has been updated with family statement.