DJ Warras — born Warrick Stock, a popular South African DJ, radio/TV presenter and podcaster — was shot and killed in Johannesburg on 16 December 2025 in a brazen daytime attack.
Here’s what’s known about why he was killed:
🔫 Circumstances of the Shooting
He was approached by at least three men in central Johannesburg’s CBD (near the Carlton Centre) and shot at close range.
Video footage shows one suspect firing at him and others fleeing on foot.
Police have opened a murder investigation and are tracing suspects, with a manhunt underway.
Possible Motive: Linked to Building Hijacking and Security Work
While no definitive motive has been legally confirmed yet, multiple credible reports and officials have suggested the killing was not random and may be linked to his work outside media:
DJ Warras had recently been involved in property and security work aimed at reclaiming hijacked buildings in Johannesburg’s inner city, through his security firm.
Authorities and local officials, including the Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, have said investigators believe the shooting may have been a targeted hit connected to a dispute over one such hijacked building — Zambezi House.
He had reportedly taken out multiple protection orders against individuals linked to threats prior to his death, and public safety officials suggested “a price was put on his head” because of his efforts to secure the building.
Some police sources also suggest he may even have been mistaken for a building owner while working to install security enhancements, which could have made him a target for hijackers.
Investigation Status
Police have identified persons of interest and reported that several people are being questioned in connection with the case, including a woman linked to the hijacked building and others cited in the protection orders.
No arrests have been publicly confirmed yet, and the official motive remains under investigation by the South African Police Service.