Ksoo and ATK Scotty have been found guilty in the murder of Charles McCormick Jr. — a Jacksonville rapper known as Lil’ Buck.
According to First Coast News, defendants Leroy “ATK Scotty” Whitaker and Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson were both charged with first-degree murder on Thursday (July 31), more than five years after McCormick was killed in a drive-by shooting.
Prosecutors said Whitaker, Robinson, and their accomplice Dominique “Butta” Barner began driving around looking for McCormick on January 15, 2020. They eventually tracked the victim down outside an Arlington shopping center, where Robinson opened fire. Whitaker allegedly had his own loaded firearm in the vehicle, but did not shoot McCormick.
Barner testified in the case as part of his plea deal and admitted to being the defendants’ getaway driver.
Authorities suspected the attack was gang-related and stemmed from McCormick’s diss track aimed at Robinson’s half-brother, Willie Addison, who was also killed in a 2019 drive-by shooting.
“Five years ago, Hakeem Robinson and Leroy Whitaker stalked a man and gunned him down in broad daylight because of disputes and drill rap,” State Attorney Melissa Nelson said after the verdicts were handed down. “Today, a jury held them accountable for their brazen crimes. This was an incredible effort by law enforcement and our team that takes two killers off our streets. Thank you to the jury for their time and dedication.”
Both men were charged with first-degree murder. Whitaker was also found guilty of burglary with assault or battery.
Whitaker and Robinson’s sentencing hearings are scheduled for September 8.
“Given that it’s not a death penalty case, the penalty is essentially mandatory life in prison,” Defense attorney Chris Carson told Action News.
