The sudden and violent death of Chicago rapper Dayvon "King Von" Bennett on November 6, 2020, sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, leaving a void in the drill music scene he was helping to redefine. In the chaotic aftermath of the shooting outside an Atlanta hookah lounge, speculation and misinformation spread rapidly online, making the official findings of the King Von autopsy report a critical anchor for the facts. The document, prepared by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, provided definitive, scientific answers about the cause of his death, playing a crucial role in both the criminal investigation and the public's understanding of the tragic event. This report, alongside police statements and surveillance footage, forms the factual basis for dissecting the final moments of a rising star's life.
 ## The Fatal Encounter in AtlantaTo understand the significance of the autopsy report, one must first revisit the circumstances of the incident. In the early morning hours of November 6, 2020, King Von and his entourage were at the Monaco Hookah Lounge in downtown Atlanta. Simultaneously, the crew of fellow rapper Quando Rondo was also present. According to the Atlanta Police Department and surveillance footage that later surfaced, a verbal dispute between the two groups in the parking lot escalated into a physical altercation.
The confrontation quickly turned violent. Surveillance video captured the moment a fistfight broke out, which was almost immediately followed by gunfire. The Atlanta Police Department reported that off-duty officers, who were working security at the lounge, and an on-duty officer nearby, responded to the shots. They engaged with the armed individuals, and the entire incident, from the first punch to the final shot, was over in a matter of seconds. In the ensuing chaos, three men were killed, including King Von, and several others were injured. Initial reports were conflicting, with some early speculation suggesting police were responsible for the fatal shots, a point that later investigative and medical evidence would clarify.
## Unpacking the Official Findings: The Fulton County Autopsy ReportAmid the swirl of rumors, the official autopsy performed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office provided the first concrete, evidence-based details about King Von's death. While the full, graphic report is not typically released to the general public, its key findings were communicated through official channels and reported by credible news outlets, serving to establish a factual baseline for the case.
Cause and Manner of Death
The primary and most crucial conclusion of the King Von autopsy report was the official cause and manner of death. The medical examiner determined the following:
- Official Cause of Death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds.
- Official Manner of Death: Homicide.
This finding was unequivocal. "Homicide" is a medical and legal classification indicating that a person's death was caused by the intentional act of another. This ruling formally dismissed any possibility of an accidental or self-inflicted cause and set the stage for a murder investigation by the Atlanta Police Department.
Details of the Injuries
While specific, graphic details were kept from wide public dissemination out of respect for the family, information derived from the report provided a clearer picture of the injuries Bennett sustained. Reports citing the medical examiner's findings indicated that King Von was shot multiple times. The locations of the wounds were critical in understanding the sequence of events and the lethality of the assault. The examination detailed the trajectory of the bullets and the catastrophic damage they inflicted on vital internal organs, which ultimately led to his death shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
These findings were essential for investigators to correlate with the surveillance footage. By matching the physical evidence from the autopsy with the visual evidence from the video, law enforcement could more accurately determine when the fatal shots were fired and by whom. This forensic cross-referencing is a standard but vital part of any homicide investigation.
Dispelling Rumors and Misinformation
One of the most important roles the official report played was in combating the rampant misinformation that plagued social media following the shooting. In the hours and days after his death, fake autopsy reports and graphic, doctored images claiming to be of King Von circulated online. These fabrications caused immense distress to his family and fans while muddying the public's understanding of the facts.
The official statements from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office and the Atlanta Police Department served as a necessary corrective. They confirmed the cause of death was gunfire from the initial altercation and not, as some had rumored, from the responding police officers. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which investigates all officer-involved shootings in the state, later affirmed this, stating that their investigation found that Bennett had already been shot during the initial exchange before police engaged.
## The Legal and Investigative ContextThe King Von autopsy report was more than just a medical document; it was a cornerstone of the criminal case that followed. Its findings provided the irrefutable evidence of homicide needed to pursue charges.
The Arrest of Timothy Leeks
Less than 24 hours after the shooting, the Atlanta Police Department secured murder warrants for 22-year-old Timothy Leeks, an associate of Quando Rondo also known as "Lul Timm." Leeks, who was also wounded in the shootout and was being treated at the same hospital as King Von, was arrested and charged with felony murder. Homicide detectives stated that their investigation, heavily reliant on the surveillance footage and corroborated by the autopsy's findings, pointed to Leeks as the primary assailant who fired the fatal shots.
In a statement at the time, Atlanta police spokeswoman Marla Jean Rooker said, "Mr. Bennett was not shot by Atlanta Police Department officers. The investigation is ongoing, but it is our belief that Mr. Bennett was shot during the initial shootout between the two groups of males, prior to police responding and attempting to stop the shooting." Leeks' legal team has since maintained that he was acting in self-defense during the melee.
The Role of Surveillance Footage and Forensic Evidence
The case against Leeks is built on a combination of visual and forensic evidence. The clear, though chaotic, surveillance video provided a timeline of the physical fight and the subsequent shooting. The autopsy report provided the "what"—the precise cause of death. Ballistics reports would further connect the "what" to the "who" by attempting to match the bullets recovered during the autopsy to the weapon allegedly fired by the suspect. Together, these pieces of evidence create the narrative that prosecutors present in a court of law, transforming a chaotic street brawl into a sequence of prosecutable actions.
## The Legacy of a StorytellerThe clinical facts of the King Von autopsy report stand in stark contrast to the vibrant, narrative-driven world he created in his music. As a protege of Chief Keef and a leading voice from Chicago's O-Block, King Von was celebrated for his exceptional storytelling ability. His songs were often detailed, cinematic accounts of street life, conflict, and survival. Tracks like "Crazy Story" and "Took Her to the O" showcased a talent for weaving intricate tales that captivated a massive audience.
Tragically, his death became an example of the very violence he so often chronicled. The findings of the autopsy report, while medically precise, also underscore the brutal reality that underpins much of the drill genre. His posthumously released debut studio album, Welcome to O'Block, released just a week before his death, became a memorial, climbing to number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. The success of the album highlighted his immense potential and the profound loss felt by his fans.
Ultimately, the King Von autopsy report serves a solemn but necessary purpose. It closes the door on speculation and provides a factual foundation for the legal process to unfold. For the public, it is a stark reminder of the definitive, irreversible consequences of the violence that ended the life of Dayvon Bennett. While his music and stories will live on, the official documents surrounding his death ensure that the facts of his final moments are preserved, distinct from the myths and rumors that followed. The report is a key piece of a tragic puzzle, offering clarity in the midst of chaos and serving as a critical document in the ongoing quest for justice.
   
