A 20-year-old Daytona Beach man faces two felony charges after police accused him of pointing a handgun at William Roberts III, the son of rapper Rick Ross, and striking him on the head near Bethune-Cookman University. The suspect was taken into custody following an investigation into the October incident.
Details of the Daytona Beach Incident
According to police and court records cited by local authorities, the alleged assault occurred around 9:40 p.m. on October 11 near the intersection of McLeod Avenue and Weaver Street. William Roberts III, who plays as a tight end for Bethune-Cookman University, told investigators he was talking with a woman on a sidewalk when a vehicle pulled up.
Police records state that the driver got out, confronted Roberts, pointed a handgun at him, and shouted, “I don’t care who your daddy is, I’ll kill you right here.” The suspect then allegedly struck Roberts on the head with the firearm before fleeing the scene.
Investigators noted that the victim suffered slight swelling on the right side of his head but declined immediate medical attention. Roberts later reported the incident to police out of fear, subsequently identifying the suspect from a photo lineup provided by law enforcement.
Arrest and Felony Charges
Authorities identified the suspect as Don Roberts III. Police arrested him on October 16 in connection with the attack.
Don Roberts III faces two primary felony counts:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
Police reports indicate that the altercation may have stemmed from a dispute involving the woman Roberts was talking with and her previous relationship with the suspect. While city cameras did not capture direct video footage of the assault, the victim’s identification through the photo lineup allowed officers to move forward with the arrest.
Background on William Roberts III
William Roberts III is a student-athlete at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Before joining the university’s football program, he played at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, where he helped his team secure four state championships during his high school career.
He chose to play for Bethune-Cookman following his commitment in 2024, citing a strong connection with the coaching staff and a desire to stay close to home in Florida, despite drawing interest from other larger collegiate football programs.
