Surveillance video captured the moment rapper Kevhani Hicks allegedly shot another artist near the Wynwood Walls in October 2023. Now, Hicks’ attorneys are arguing she should be immune from prosecution, claiming she acted in self-defense.
Hicks is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of Demitrie Harris.
The shooting happened after Hicks, Harris and music manager Nathan Smith spent the evening visiting venues in Miami. The three were artists hoping to make it in the music industry.
According to testimony, tensions between Hicks and Harris escalated during the night. Smith said the two got into a heated verbal argument before the confrontation turned physical near the Wynwood Walls.
During questioning, Hicks’ defense attorneys focused on Harris’ behavior, arguing he became aggressive toward Hicks and got in her face.
Smith testified that he attempted to calm the situation.
“Both of them were screaming,” Smith said. “I kind of tried to facilitate, if I could get both of you to calm down and get to the point and make it all make sense.”
Smith also described the moments after gunfire erupted.
When asked where he went after hearing the shots, Smith responded, “I just got in my car, and I heard gunshots. I feared for my life and took off.”
Surveillance video shows Harris crawling away as Hicks fires her gun. The chaos continued when Hicks was struck by a vehicle driven by Smith, who was attempting to get to safety.
Hicks claims she was attacked and pinned to the ground. Her attorneys argue she eventually managed to escape but feared Harris would attack her again, leading her to fire in self-defense.
Prosecutors dispute that account. They argue Hicks chased Harris while shooting and took advantage of his vulnerable position, characterizing the shooting as murder.