A South Florida rapper, Key Vhani, who was caught on camera fatally shooting her manager in Miami last month, has been released from jail on bond. She claimed self-defense, saying she was in fear for her life. Read the full story here.
Summary
- Key Vhani, a South Florida rapper and CEO of Pretty Thug Music, was arrested on October 10, 2023 for allegedly shooting and killing her manager in Wynwood, Miami.
- The incident was captured on surveillance video, which showed Key Vhani being attacked by her manager and another man, who was the driver of a white Lexus sedan.
- Key Vhani claimed self-defense, saying she was in fear for her life and fired her gun after the men threatened to kill her.
- She was released from jail on November 21, 2023 after posting a $250,000 bond.
How Key Vhani Shot Her Way Out of Jail After Killing Her Manager in Miami
Key Vhani, whose real name is Kevhani Camilla Hicks, is a 27-year-old aspiring rapper from South Florida who has been charged with second-degree murder with a weapon for the fatal shooting of her manager in Wynwood, Miami.
The shooting occurred on October 9, 2023, around 1:35 a.m., near Wynwood Walls, a popular tourist attraction and outdoor museum of street art. According to the police report, Key Vhani, her manager, and the driver of a white Lexus sedan were involved in a verbal dispute that quickly escalated and turned physical.
Surveillance footage obtained by the police showed Key Vhani getting out of the car and walking toward the trunk, followed by the driver, who appeared visibly upset. The driver opened the trunk and argued with Key Vhani before grabbing and striking her, throwing her to the ground. The manager also got out of the car and joined in on punching Key Vhani.
The footage then showed the driver getting up and trying to pull the manager off Key Vhani, who collected her things and started walking away. The manager followed her before he started to walk back to the Lexus, and that's when Key Vhani began to fire in his direction, hitting him multiple times. The manager collapsed in the roadway as Key Vhani was then struck by the Lexus as the driver fled the scene.
Miami police officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and found the manager lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to his torso. Key Vhani was also found nearby with blunt force injuries. Both were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where the manager, whose identity has not been released, died from his injuries. Key Vhani was treated and released from the hospital before she was interviewed by the police.
In her police interview, Key Vhani told detectives that she had been involved in a fight with the driver after she asked him to open the trunk. She said the argument turned violent while they were still in the car. She also said that she was attacked by the two men outside the car, but when the driver pulled the manager back, she grabbed her purse, which contained her gun. She said the manager continued yelling threats at her as she was walking away, and that she was in fear for her life due to his size and his words. She said she turned and fired a series of gunshots at him, and then tried to run across the street, but noticed the anger on his face and felt he was positioning himself to lunge at her. She said she shot him again.
Key Vhani was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a weapon. She was held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond until November 21, 2023, when she posted a $250,000 bond and was released from jail. She is currently awaiting trial and has not entered a plea. Her attorney, Michael Grieco, said that she acted in self-defense and that the video evidence supports her version of events.
Key Vhani, who also lists herself as the CEO of Pretty Thug Music, has released several songs on YouTube and other platforms, including "Pretty Thug", "No Love", and "Money Talk". She has also collaborated with other local artists, such as Koly P and Yung Simmie. She has over 10,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts photos and videos of her music and lifestyle. She has not posted anything since her arrest.
The driver of the Lexus has not been identified or arrested. The police are still investigating the motive and the relationship between Key Vhani and her manager. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Miami Police Department's Homicide Unit at 305-603-6350 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Conclusion
Key Vhani, a South Florida rapper who was accused of murdering her manager in a heated dispute in Wynwood, Miami, has been released from jail on bond. She claimed self-defense, saying she was attacked by her manager and another man, who were both seen on video assaulting her. Her lawyer said the video evidence supports her version of events and that she acted in fear for her life. The driver of the car that hit her after the shooting has not been identified or arrested. The police are still investigating the case and the motive behind the violence.
