Police say a short man with dreadlocks has been identified as the shooter in the murder of DJ Warras.

Image: Screenshot from SABCNews video

CCTV footage in the Johannesburg CBD has shown a man with dreadlocks opening fire on Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras.

A radio and TV presenter and podcaster was gunned down as he was leaving Zambesi House near Carlton Centre on Tuesday.

The video footage shows the suspect approaching Stock and opening fire shortly after noon.

According to Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana, the suspects also left cartridges at the scene. He confirmed that Stock had his firearm on him and nothing was taken.

Warrick Stock, 40, who was popularly known as DJ Warras was killed on Tuesday.

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Kekana said video footage shows the suspect sitting near Warras’ car and one other suspect, dressed in something that appears to be a security uniform. Police are actively tracing the suspects and the weapon.

He highlighted challenges posed by the building near the scene where the majority of occupants are unauthorised. He said that Warras was allegedly a co-owner of the Zambesi House, and investigations into the ownership and its occupants are ongoing.

Authorities are appealing to eyewitnesses and members of the community who may have seen the suspects to come forward. “We know they walked a long distance after the shooting, and officers have been tracking them to determine their whereabouts,” Kekana said.

The motive for Warras’ killing remains under investigation. While there are suggestions it could relate to hijacked buildings, police say they are keeping an open mind and following all leads.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed that JMPD officers were the first responders after being stopped by members of the public who alerted them to the shooting.

Speaking to eNCA from the crime scene, the DJ’s sister, Nicole Stock, appealed for calm and respect.

“We have been here for a couple of hours, and we don’t know what to say. We ask South Africans to please give the police space to complete their investigation,” she said.

She also urged the public to focus on who her brother was, rather than speculation around his death.

“He spoke up about many issues, including controversial ones, but let us not focus on the negative. He was a good guy, selfless, and he loved everybody. He found humour in things and believed there should be no division in who we are as South Africans.”

Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward on 08600 10111.