Suspect in Rapper Mo3’s Killing Gets 105 Months in Prison on Federal Gun Charge

Kewon Dontrell White, 23, was arrested in August 2020 after fleeing police who attempted to stop him after seeing him commit a traffic violation while riding a dirt bike on W. Pleasant Run Road in Lancaster. White fled, crashing his bike and leading police on a foot chase. Officers arrested him a short time later and found he was carrying a 9mm pistol. White had a felony record for unauthorized use of motor vehicles and evading arrest and detention, making his possession of a gun a federal crime. He was sentenced this week after pleading guilty in May, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Mo3, born Melvin Noble Jr., grew up in North Dallas and was a rapper whose fame grew rapidly after the 2014 release of his debut mixtape, Shottaz. He followed up with the viral hit “Hold Ur Tongue” and a sequel, Shottaz Reloaded. His hits also included “Errybody,” “Keep It G,” “True Story” and “I’m the Truth.”

“Lyrically, Mo3 was a rugged wordsmith and a complex artist whose fans relished his rebellious authenticity,” Observer hip-hop writer Bryson “Boom” Paul noted at the time of his death.

Dallas police said the rapper was driving north on Interstate 35 near Clarendon Drive around noon on Nov. 11, 2020, when he was approached by a man driving a dark-colored car. Noble pulled over and stopped, and the man, armed with a handgun, left his car and approached Noble’s vehicle. Noble left his car and ran south on the freeway, chased by the gunman, who fired several shots into Noble’s back, killing him and wounding a bystander before fleeing.

At the time of the shooting, White was free on bond for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.