On Monday morning, March 3, 2025, a fatal shooting occurred at Slappy’s Express Car Wash in Forest Hill, Texas, claiming the lives of rapper Ronnie Smith, professionally known as G$ Lil Ronnie, and his five-year-old daughter. Police identified the victim’s last name as Sibley. His family identified him as Smith.
Police report that two males dressed in blue jeans and gray sweaters emerged from a white four-door Kia around 10:45 a.m. They approached Smith’s car, which was parked in a bay at the car wash, and began shooting before fleeing the scene. Both Smith and his daughter were declared dead at the location.
The victims were identified by family members as Chuckie Smith (G$ Lil Ronnie) and his daughter R’Mani, who had joyously celebrated her fifth birthday just a day prior to the tragic incident.
Smith’s aunt Stella Houston expressed her grief and confusion to FOX 4, stating, “He was a rapper. He didn’t bother nobody. He was a family man, and he was going around rapping, okay. Why would you target him?”
The Texas Rangers are spearheading the investigation, with multiple local law enforcement agencies providing support.
On Wednesday, Forest Hill Police Chief David Hernandez announced that 24-year-old Adonis Yeavon Robinson and 21-year-old Jakobie Dajuan Russell had been identified as suspects.
Robinson was arrested March 6. The second suspect, Jakobie Russell, was taken into custody March 7.
Hernandez stated that Robinson is a non-compliant sex offender. A search of the state’s registry identified an individual matching Robinson’s name, birthdate, and distinctive facial tattoo. This person was listed as a registered sex offender, convicted of sexually assaulting a 55-year-old woman, and sentenced to four years of parole in 2021. According to state records, Robinson is required to remain on the sex offender registry until 2034 and is classified as a moderate-risk offender. NBC 5 provided this information to Hernandez, who confirmed Robinson as the suspect in the car wash murders.
A spokesperson for Slappy’s Car Wash expressed their shock and dismay at the violent incident, stating, “We are shocked, appalled and deeply troubled by the senseless and violent events that occurred today. Right now, there are more questions than answers.”
As investigators collected evidence at the crime scene, marked with evidence markers, Chief David Hernandez did not comment on whether surveillance footage from the car wash captured the shooting or if any spent cartridge casings had been found.
Smith, who was 30 years old, had a significant fan base with approximately 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, according to reports.
Family, friends, and multiple law enforcement agencies, including Forest Hill police officers, Fort Worth police and firefighters, and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, gathered at the car wash on Monday afternoon following the incident.
This act of violence marks the third fatal incident in Forest Hill in less than two weeks, causing alarm among the community of approximately 14,000 residents. Previously, on February 21, two men were killed at RK Auto Sales by a former employee. The following day, a stray bullet claimed the life of a 36-year-old woman in her backyard. No arrests have been made in that case.
These recent incidents reflect a startling increase in violent crime for Forest Hill. Local reports indicate the city has experienced four and five homicides respectively in 2025 so far, a sharp rise compared to the previous year, which did not record any murders.
MedStar ambulance service confirmed the fatalities after receiving multiple 911 calls about gunshots at the car wash, located at 6500 Forest Hill Drive.
In addition to expressing their shock, the spokesperson for Slappy’s Car Wash stated that their employees would be praying for the victims and their families. Local residents have voiced their growing concerns about the recent surge in gun violence in the area.