A federal jury found North Carolina rapper Antonio Davenport Jr. guilty of murder in the killing of 9 years old Z’Yon Person following a drive-by shooting in Durham nearly three years ago. The NC rapper is also known by his stage name “Lil Tony.”
The rapper’s charges include murder and racketeering. Davenport fixed his gaze on the jury box, sitting with his attorneys, as its members walked in. After eight hours of deliberation over the past two days, the jury found the rapper guilty.
Who Is Rapper Antonio Davenport?
Rapper Antonio Davenport is a known hip-hop star with The 83 babies. The popular band had released a music video and recorded multiple songs referring to the subject matter, gang violence and guns.
He was a budding rapper known by his stage name Lil Tony and had just signed on to tour with the band 83 babies until he was accused of killing 9-year-old Z’yon Person nearly three years ago.
The unfortunate shooting that changed many lives upside down occurred in Durham in August 2019. According to police, Z’yon was with his aunt, Danyell Ragland, his cousins, and his sisters, in a car driving to get snow cones when he was shot.
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Z’Yon Murder Case Update- What Happened?
The jury found the NC aspiring rapper Antonio Davenport guilty of the murder of 9-year-old Z’Yon Person Thursday. He was charged on all three counts of federal murder, gun, and racketeering charges.
The charges could cost two life sentences and additional 10 years or more. NC rapper pleaded to be excused after the verdict was read and was soon escorted out of the courtroom in shackles.
In his testimony, Antonio denied shooting at the SUV on August 18, 2019, in which Z’Yon, his aunt, his, sisters, and cousins were riding. Further, Z’Yon’s 8-year-old little cousin was also hit in the arm.
Z’Yon was studying in fourth grade at Penny Road Elementary School in Cary. He was shot in the forehead while on the way to get snow cones with his aunt and other children. The little boy died the next morning.
Rapper Antonio Davenport Jail Sentence -Where Is He Now?
Antonio Davenport is on trial facing federal murder, racketeering, and gun charges that could reportedly result in two life sentences, and additional 10 years or more. Currently, the NC rapper is in police custody.
He is found guilty of killing Z’Yon Person on 18 August 2019, in Durham with the motive to upgrade his position in the Braggtown-based Eight Trey Gangster Crips gang. Antonio has repeatedly denied his involvement in the shooting, though he was in the driving seat of the vehicle where shots were fired.
Rapper Antonio Davenport Age -His Wife And Family
Antonio Davenport is twenty-seven years old as of now. His mother was also present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. She was shaking in her seat as the jurors returned and sobbed after hearing the verdict.
The rapper’s mother hugged both of her son’s defense attorneys outside the courthouse. However, all three denied commenting relating to the verdict. Further, the prosecutors for the U.S. Attorney’s office also refused to comment.
Davenport is not married however has a girlfriend, Rhonni Lyons, with whom he shares a baby daughter. She explained how she learned about the incident the next day from a newspaper article and was worried that her boyfriend might be the culprit.
Rapper Antonio Davenport Net Worth In 2022
Antonio Davenport was an aspiring rapper who must have earned a decent fortune out of his career. However, the rapper has not opened up about his earnings and net worth as of now.
Davenport grew up in the Durham Public Schools system and learned about gangs. Soon, the rapper began selling and using drugs while in ninth grade at Hillside High School. He then became interested in gang culture to gain popularity among girls and gain safety.
When Antonio was 21, he was incarcerated at the Durham Correctional Center on domestic violence charges, he first joined the gang, Eight Tray (83) Hoover Crips.