A prominent South African radio and club DJ has been shot dead in central Johannesburg, in a killing that has stunned a country already grappling with high levels of violent crime.
Warrick Stock, widely known as DJ Warras, was killed on Tuesday afternoon after being approached by three suspects in the city centre. Police said one of the men opened fire before the group fled the scene on foot. No arrests have been made and the motive remains unclear.
The 40-year-old media personality was attacked as he was leaving Zambesi House near the Carlton Centre, where he had spent several hours overseeing the installation of security systems, according to the state broadcaster SABC.
South African police said Stock attempted to run after being shot but collapsed across the street. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows a man with dreadlocks, dressed in what appeared to be a security uniform, opening fire before escaping. Officers recovered spent cartridges at the scene, and confirmed that Stock was carrying an unused firearm. Nothing was stolen during the attack.
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying the suspects were tracked on foot for some distance after the shooting.
Stock’s sister, Nicole Stock, told SABC that the family was struggling to comprehend his death. She described him as a fearless voice who spoke out on issues others avoided, and urged the public not to share graphic images from the scene, particularly out of consideration for his three sons.
Beyond his work as a DJ, Stock was a television presenter, podcaster and host of the reality show Ngicel’ iVisa on Mzansi Magic. He was also involved in several business ventures, including private security, VIP protection, event security and property management, local media reported.
Tributes poured in from across South Africa’s political and cultural spectrum. Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said he was “angry and saddened” by the killing, praising Stock for speaking his mind without fear, even when critical of government decisions. Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane described the shooting as a “brazen murder in broad daylight” that shocked the nation.
Mzansi Magic and entertainment network M-Net said Stock was known for his charisma, warmth and sharp wit, adding that his legacy would endure.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Police data shows that an average of about 63 people were killed each day between April and September, driven largely by armed robberies and gang violence.