For fans of Chicago drill, the name King Von carried weight—a raw storyteller from O Block who turned street narratives into charting hits. His life was cut short at 26, leaving behind a catalog of music and a swirl of unanswered questions about his death, his estate, and his legacy.
Full name: Dayvon Daquan Bennett ·
Born: August 9, 1994 ·
Died: November 6, 2020 ·
Age at death: 26 ·
Known professionally as: King Von ·
Origin: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Quick snapshot
- Born August 9, 1994 in Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper))
- Died November 6, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement))
- Signed to Lil Durk’s OTF label (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Had at least two children (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)) (Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper))
- Exact details of the altercation that led to his death
- Who inherited his estate and the exact distribution
- Whether Eminem had any personal opinion on him
- Whether off-duty officers fired during the encounter (not stated in official reports)
- Whether additional charges will be filed against others involved
- November 6, 2020: shooting outside Monaco Hookah Lounge (Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement))
- Posthumous album ‘What It Means To Be King’ released in 2022 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Estate probate continues with no public will (Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper))
Six key facts paint a clear picture of who King Von was and what happened to him.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Dayvon Daquan Bennett | Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) |
| Born | August 9, 1994, Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper) |
| Died | November 6, 2020, Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement) |
| Genres | Drill, Hip hop | Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) |
| Labels | OTF, Empire | Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) |
| Number of Children | At least 2 (names not publicly confirmed) | Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) |
Where did King Von get shot?
King Von was shot outside Monaco Hookah Lounge at 255 Trinity Avenue in downtown Atlanta on November 6, 2020. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement) reported that Bennett and a group of men had left Opium Nightclub and walked to the hookah lounge when an argument escalated into gunfire. The shooting took place in the parking lot, according to TheWrap (entertainment news outlet). He was transported to a hospital by private vehicle, as People (celebrity news magazine) reported, but died from his injuries.
The shooting did not happen in a private club; it happened in a public parking lot, which is why witnesses and surveillance shaped the official account.
The implication: the exact location—a public parking lot—underscores how quickly the confrontation turned fatal.
What led to the death of King Von?
The altercation that ended King Von’s life began after two men approached his group in the parking lot, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement). The BBC News Pidgin (international news service) noted that police did not believe an officer fired the fatal shot; instead, a shootout erupted before law enforcement arrived. Six people were shot, and two died, per the GBI’s corrected casualty count. A suspect, 22-year-old Timothy Leeks, was charged with felony murder, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta (local news affiliate). The Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper) confirmed that Leeks was charged with King Von’s murder. The pattern: a dispute that started with words ended with multiple casualties, and the legal aftermath is still unfolding.
Who inherited King Von’s money?
King Von did not leave a will, so his estate entered probate, according to Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper). His mother is expected to be the administrator, and his children may be entitled to a share of his assets. However, exact distribution details have not been publicly confirmed.
Without a will, the legal process—not a personal plan—determines how any assets move to King Von’s children and family.
The trade-off: without a clear estate plan, the family faces a lengthy legal process that could delay any inheritance for his children.
Why did they call him King Von?
The stage name “King Von” combines his childhood nickname “Von” with “King,” reflecting his self-proclaimed status in the drill scene. He was also known as “V.Roy” and “Grandson,” as noted by Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). The name was a brand that he built through his music, and it became synonymous with the O Block neighborhood of Chicago.
How old would Von be today?
King Von was born on August 9, 1994, according to TheWrap (entertainment news outlet). He died at age 26 in 2020. If he were alive today (2025), he would be 30 years old. The catch: the age gap between his death and his potential future highlights the promising career cut short.
Timeline: King Von’s Life and Legacy
- August 9, 1994 – Born Dayvon Daquan Bennett in Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper)).
- 2018 – Released debut single “Crazy Story” under Lil Durk’s OTF label (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 2019 – Released first mixtape “Grandson, Vol. 1” (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 2020 – Released album “Levon James” and hit single “Took Her to the O” (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- November 6, 2020 – Killed in a shooting in Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement)).
- 2022 – Posthumous album “What It Means To Be King” released (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
The timeline shows a rapid rise—from debut single to posthumous album in just four years—but the abrupt end leaves a legacy that is still being defined by the very streets that raised him.
Confirmed facts
- King Von was born August 9, 1994 and died November 6, 2020 (Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago daily newspaper); Georgia Bureau of Investigation (state law enforcement)).
- He was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, outside a nightclub (BBC News Pidgin (international news service)).
- He was a Chicago drill rapper signed to OTF (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- He had at least two children (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- Timothy Leeks was charged with his murder (FOX 5 Atlanta (local news affiliate)).
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the altercation that led to his death.
- Who inherited his estate and the exact distribution.
- Whether Eminem had any personal opinion on him.
- Whether off-duty officers fired during the encounter (not stated in official reports).
- Whether additional charges will be filed against others involved.
What this means: the public catalog is settled, but the private aftermath of King Von’s death is still being worked out.
Perspectives from the scene
“The preliminary investigation indicated Bennett and a group of men left Opium Nightclub and went to Monaco Hookah Lounge at 255 Trinity Avenue.”
— Georgia Bureau of Investigation, official statement
“We do not believe an officer shot King Von; instead a shootout occurred before police arrived.”
— Atlanta Police Department, as reported by BBC News Pidgin (international news service)
King Von’s death left a void in the drill scene and a family grappling with an estate that had no clear blueprint. For his fans, the music remains; for his children, the future of his inheritance is still uncertain. The pattern is clear: a promising career cut short, while his family still waits on the legal outcome of an estate with no will.
abc7chicago.com, revolt.tv, x.com, vulture.com, thesun.co.uk
A more detailed account of his early life and musical journey is available in the King Von biography.
Frequently asked questions
Was King Von’s death ruled a homicide?
Yes, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation classified his death as a homicide.
Who was arrested in connection with King Von’s shooting?
Timothy Leeks, age 22, was charged with felony murder.
How many albums did King Von release?
He released two studio albums: “Levon James” (2020) and the posthumous “What It Means To Be King” (2022).
What is the meaning of ‘Took Her to the O’?
The song refers to taking a woman to the “O Block” neighborhood in Chicago, King Von’s home turf.
Did King Von have a relationship with Lil Durk?
Yes, Lil Durk was his close friend and label head, often referring to him as his “brother.”
What was King Von’s net worth at the time of his death?
Estimates vary, but most sources place it between $500,000 and $1 million, though not publicly confirmed.
Are there any unreleased King Von songs?
Yes, several unreleased tracks have surfaced posthumously, and his estate continues to release them.
The most persistent questions around King Von are not about the music, but about how his death is still being processed in court and by his family.
Related reading
- Chalino Sánchez: Life, Death & Legacy of the King of Corrido – Another musician whose life was cut short by violence.
- Bindy Johal: Biography, Movie, Son, and Legacy – A figure associated with street violence and a legacy debated post-mortem.
Both figures show how violent death can freeze a public legacy and leave private disputes unresolved.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.