New revelations have emerged regarding the tragic road rage incident that claimed the life of a popular DJ, as detailed in recent court filings.
Joel Moreno Cobo, 31, made a virtual appearance in court on Friday. He faces charges for the fatal shooting of Dedrick Sykes, widely known as DJ ShyGuy. The presiding judge underscored the severity of the crime, categorizing it as a capital felony under Florida law, which carries the possibility of a life sentence.
Court documents outline the brief, four-second span during which Ybor’s DJ ShyGuy lost his life, shedding light on the fleeting nature of the encounter.
In the wake of the incident, Sykes’ family expressed a desire for justice to take its course. It took nearly a week for the identities involved in the shooting to be publicly disclosed.
“Initially, I only heard that this individual acted in self-defense and posed no threat to the community,” shared Bruce Sykes, Dedrick’s uncle.
“We want what happened, to be just clarified. The things you heard about him, the things you hear, the truth, he was that kind of guy,” Bruce Sykes said.
Court filings described Dedrick Sykes turning in front of Moreno Cobo, who was waiting to get through the intersection at 5th Avenue and 22nd Street. Moreno Cobo said he heard Dedrick Sykes say something similar to “You’re gonna wait there now (expletive)”. Moreno Cobo said he responded with an expletive. That’s when Dedrick Sykes stopped his car, got out, and started coming toward him.
Moreno Cobo said he didn’t see any weapons and without explanation he told police he thought Dedrick Sykes was going to hit him. So he pulled out his gun and shot him twice.
Both men had their girlfriends in the car with them. Moreno Cobo’s girlfriend didn’t remember hearing any threats, she told police she only looked toward the driver’s door when she noticed movement out of her peripheral vision, and then she said Moreno Cobo reached for his gun.
Dedrick Sykes’ girlfriend told police the men exchanged words, Dedrick Sykes got out the car, and that’s when she heard the gunshots.
Dedrick Sykes’ uncle said he wants to know more about what happened.
“Because I know the man, and simply stepping out of your car can’t be considered a deadly threat, it had to be more than that,” said Bruce Sykes.
A judge will hear the motion on the pre-trial detention Monday. If it is denied, the judge will set bail at that time.
