King Von Death: How Did the Chicago Rapper Die? Full Story & 2026 Update

King Von, born Dayvon Daquan Bennett, was a Chicago drill rapper known for his raw storytelling. He grew up in O’Block, one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods, and turned that painful life into music. King Von death shocked the hip-hop world on November 6, 2020, when he was shot and killed outside a hookah lounge in Atlanta, Georgia. He was just 26 years old.

The man charged with his murder, Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, had all charges dropped in 2023. No one has ever been convicted. In 2026, the case still echoes through hip-hop, mainly because of Lil Durk’s ongoing federal murder-for-hire trial, which is directly linked to King Von death.

Who Was King Von? Real Name, Age, and Early Life

King Von’s real name was Dayvon Daquan Bennett. He was born on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the Parkway Garden Homes housing project, known as “O’Block.” His father was killed when Von was just 11 years old. He spent years in and out of juvenile detention before turning to music in 2018.

DetailInfo
Real NameDayvon Daquan Bennett
BornAugust 9, 1994
HometownChicago, Illinois (O’Block)
LabelOnly the Family (OTF) / Empire
Breakout Song“Crazy Story” (2018), Triple Platinum
Debut AlbumWelcome to O’Block (October 2020), #5 Billboard 200

Lil Durk signed him to OTF after hearing his early music. Von was known for storytelling, his songs were almost like short crime films. His debut album dropped just one week before he was killed.

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How Did King Von Die? The Night of November 6, 2020 Explained

How Did King Von Die? The Night of November 6, 2020 Explained

King Von was shot multiple times outside the Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and died from his wounds that same day. He was 26 years old.

Timeline of that night:

  • ~2:15 AM: King Von and his crew arrive at Monaco Hookah Lounge, 255 Trinity Ave, Atlanta
  • ~3:20 AM: A fight breaks out between Von’s group and Quando Rondo’s group outside the lounge
  • The argument quickly turned into a shooting
  • An off-duty and an on-duty Atlanta Police officer nearby both responded and also fired their weapons
  • King Von was shot multiple times
  • He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle, not an ambulance
  • He died at the hospital later that morning
  • November 14, 2020: He was buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Cook County, Illinois

Two people were killed in total that night, and six others were wounded.

Who Was Involved in His Death? What Reports Say About Timothy Leeks

Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks, a 22-year-old associate of rapper Quando Rondo, was identified as the person who shot King Von. He was arrested the next day while being treated for his own gunshot wound at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Key people involved:

NameRole
Timothy “Lul Tim” LeeksCharged with King Von’s murder (charges later dropped)
Quando RondoPresent at the scene; his crew was involved in the fight
Johnny HarrisAlso arrested in connection with the shooting
Kevin JonesAlso arrested in connection with the shooting
  • Leeks was charged with felony murder in November 2020
  • He was released on a $100,000 bond in March 2021
  • In August 2023, his murder charge was officially dismissed, prosecutors said it was dropped before it was ever indicted
  • The dismissal was based on Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law
  • His attorney Noah Pines confirmed: the case was dismissed prior to indictment
  • No one has been convicted in King Von death as of 2026

King Von Autopsy Report: Official Cause of Death

The autopsy was done by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office and the report was released on November 10, 2020. The official cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, classified as homicide.

Gunshot wound locations found in the report:

  • 1 shot, right hand
  • 3 shots, chest
  • 1 fatal shot, entered through the right eye, exited the back of the skull

The shot to the head was the fatal wound. The report also noted that burnt powder was found on his skin, pointing to close-range shots. The manner of death was ruled homicide.

Toxicology findings (did not contribute to death):

SubstancePresent
MarijuanaYes
CodeineYes
PromethazineYes
Alcohol (BAC)0.19% (more than twice legal limit)

None of these substances were listed as a cause of death, the gunshots were the sole cause.

Was He Shot by Police or Quando Rondo’s Crew?

King Von was not shot by police. Atlanta Police were clear on this point.

Both an off-duty and an on-duty police officer responded to the scene and did fire their weapons. However, Atlanta Police stated clearly that Von was shot during the initial confrontation between the two groups, before officers arrived and discharged their weapons.

Police investigators confirmed:

  • Von was shot by people from Quando Rondo’s side during the group fight
  • Timothy Leeks was identified as the shooter
  • Police gunfire happened separately and did not hit Von

The full shooting was also captured on video, which helped police identify Leeks quickly.

King Von Death Age: How Old Was He When He Died?

King Von was 26 years old when he died on November 6, 2020. He was born on August 9, 1994, so he had just turned 26 about three months before he was killed. His debut album Welcome to O’Block had released only seven days before his death, making the timing especially painful for fans and the music world.

King Von Autopsy Report: Key Findings and Public Information

The Fulton County Medical Examiner conducted the official autopsy. The key confirmed findings:

  • Official cause: Multiple gunshot wounds
  • Manner: Homicide
  • Wounds: At least 6 gunshot entry points, hand, chest (3 shots), and head (fatal)
  • Fatal shot: Entered right eye, exited the back of the skull, at close range
  • Soot/gunpowder was found on his skin, confirming he was shot at very close range
  • Toxicology found marijuana, codeine, promethazine, and a BAC of 0.19%, none caused his death

A major controversy followed when unauthorized autopsy photos were leaked on social media shortly after. King Von’s sister Kayla B publicly condemned the leak. Reports indicated a mortuary worker was allegedly responsible. The leak sparked a wide debate about privacy rights for the deceased.

Lil Durk and the Aftermath: Legal Developments (2024–2026)

This is where the story gets bigger. Lil Durk, King Von’s closest friend and label founder, was arrested in October 2024 on federal murder-for-hire charges directly connected to Von’s death.

What happened:

  • After King Von death in 2020, Lil Durk reportedly put a monetary bounty on Quando Rondo’s life
  • On August 19, 2022, five OTF members traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles, tracked Quando Rondo to a gas station near Beverly Center, and opened fire
  • Quando Rondo was not hurt, but his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson (24) was killed
  • On October 24, 2024, Lil Durk was arrested near Miami International Airport, he had booked three separate international flights (Dubai, Switzerland, Italy) and was stopped one hour before boarding a private jet to Italy
  • He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death
  • Five OTF associates were also arrested: Kavon Grant, Deandre Wilson, Keith Jones, David Lindsey, and Asa Houston

Case status as of 2026:

UpdateDetail
ArrestOctober 24, 2024
PleaNot Guilty
BailDenied, judge ruled him a flight risk
Death penaltyProsecutors confirmed in June 2025 they will NOT seek death penalty
Trial dateOriginally Jan 2025 → pushed to October 2025 → still ongoing in 2026
Apple WatchFound on Durk while in custody in August 2025 (he allegedly tried to destroy it)

Lil Durk’s defense team is fighting to dismiss charges, arguing misuse of his song lyrics as evidence.

King Von’s Legacy: Posthumous Music and Impact (2021–2026)

Even after death, King Von’s music has continued to hit major charts. Two full posthumous albums have been released.

Discography overview:

AlbumRelease DateChart Position
Welcome to O’Block (debut)October 2020#5 Billboard 200
What It Means to Be KingMarch 2022#2 Billboard 200
GrandsonJuly 14, 2023#14 Billboard 200
  • What It Means to Be King featured 21 Savage on “Don’t Play That” and was a massive success with 59,000 album-equivalent units in the first week
  • Grandson was described as his final album, the title pays tribute to his first mixtape and his nickname given to him in jail
  • His single “Crazy Story”, triple platinum
  • His single “Took Her to the O”, triple platinum, peaked inside Billboard Hot 100 Top 50
  • He was included in the Grammy In Memoriam segment at the 63rd Grammy Awards
  • A large mural of him was painted in 2021 on Martin Luther King Drive in O’Block, it was removed in November 2024
  • His music still pulls hundreds of millions of streams across platforms as of 2026

Death Anniversary: How Fans Continue to Remember Him

Every year on November 6, fans and artists across social media mark the anniversary of King Von death. The hashtag #LongLiveVon trends regularly on this date.

How fans keep his memory alive:

  • Streaming his albums in full on the anniversary date
  • Posting old interview clips and freestyles on YouTube and TikTok
  • O’Block community members hold informal gatherings
  • His mother and sister Kayla B regularly post tributes on social media
  • His son Dayvon Jr. and daughters True and Demi are growing up with fans watching and celebrating milestones in their lives

His music keeps new listeners finding him, especially younger fans who discover “Crazy Story” or “Took Her to the O” and go down the rabbit hole of his catalog.

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King Von vs Juice WRLD, Two Chicago Artists Lost Too Soon

Both rappers came from Chicago, both were at the peak of their careers, and both died within 12 months of each other.

CategoryKing VonJuice WRLD
Real NameDayvon Daquan BennettJarad Higgins
HometownChicago (O’Block, South Side)Chicago (Calumet Park)
Death DateNovember 6, 2020December 8, 2019
Age at Death2621
Cause of DeathMultiple gunshot wounds (homicide)Seizure (after swallowing percocets at airport)
StyleDrill, storytelling rapEmo rap, melodic trap
Last Album Before DeathWelcome to O’Block (#5 Billboard 200)Death Race for Love (2019)
Posthumous Albums2 (What It Means to Be King, Grandson)Multiple (Legends Never Die, Fighting Demons)

Both deaths hit the Chicago and hip-hop community hard in a very short span. They represented two very different styles, but both had massive, loyal fan bases and were widely seen as generational voices.

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King Von’s Children and Family After His Death

King Von had three children, one of whom was born after his death.

His children:

ChildMotherBorn
Dayvon Bennett Jr.Queen Kema (Instagram personality)August 9, 2019
True BennettMiciAround August 2019
Demi RoweSkylar KnightJuly 10, 2021 (born 8 months after his death)
  • His mother Taesha raised him and continues to be a public figure in preserving his legacy
  • His sister Kayla B is a public figure who has spoken out about his death, the autopsy photo leak, and his memory
  • He was in an on-and-off relationship with rapper Asian Doll, but they were reportedly not together at the time of his death
  • His daughter True has reportedly said she wants to be a rapper like her dad

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Final Thoughts on King Von Death

King Von’s story did not end with his death — in many ways, it got louder. His music keeps growing, his children are being raised in his name, and the legal fallout from King Von death is still playing out in a federal courtroom in 2026.

The man charged with shooting him walked free under Stand Your Ground. His best friend faces life in prison over an attempted revenge killing. And his albums still chart years after he was buried. That is the full weight of what happened outside a hookah lounge in Atlanta on a Friday morning in November 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions About King Von Death

What was King Von’s real name?

His real name was Dayvon Daquan Bennett, born August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois.

How old was King Von when he died?

He was 26 years old. He was killed on November 6, 2020, just three months after his 26th birthday.

Who killed King Von?

Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks was charged with his murder, but the charge was dismissed in 2023 under Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law. No one has been convicted.

Was King Von shot by police?

No. Atlanta Police confirmed Von was shot during the group fight before officers arrived. Both officers fired their weapons, but police said they did not hit King Von.

What was the official cause of King Von death?

The Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled multiple gunshot wounds as the cause. He was shot in the hand, chest (3 times), and once fatally through the right eye.

Did Timothy Leeks go to jail for killing King Von?

He was arrested and charged, posted a $100,000 bond in 2021, and his murder charge was fully dismissed in 2023 before it was ever indicted. He remains free.

How many posthumous albums did King Von release?

Two: What It Means to Be King (2022, #2 Billboard 200) and Grandson (2023, #14 Billboard 200).

How many kids did King Von have?

He had three children, Dayvon Jr., True, and Demi Rowe. Demi was born in July 2021, eight months after his death.

What is Lil Durk’s connection to King Von death in 2026?

Lil Durk was arrested in October 2024 on federal charges that he paid hitmen to kill Quando Rondo as revenge for King Von death. The attempt killed Rondo’s cousin instead. Durk’s trial is ongoing in 2026; prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.

Where is King Von buried?

He was buried on November 14, 2020, at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Cook County, Illinois.

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