A decade ago, Atlanta’s hip-hop community was rocked by two killings connected to the city’s club scene. DJ Nando, also known as William Fernando Barnes, was a well-known DJ who helped launch the careers of local rap stars. In December 2013, he expressed to his sister that he believed someone was after him, and he needed to get away from them. Three weeks later, Barnes was fatally shot in his driveway in a quiet Atlanta suburb. His death continues to haunt friends and infuriate relatives, as no suspects have been publicly identified in his killing. The wife of another DJ who worked at the same venue, Club Onyx, was also shot and killed, and her husband was ultimately charged with her murder.
Barnes grew up in a small town north of Richmond, Virginia, where he was described as a typical country kid with a knack for tinkering. He got into music when he moved to Atlanta in his early 20s and began working at an auto detailing shop. Barnes taught himself to DJ, eventually landing a gig at a strip club in Atlanta, where he became a respected figure in the hip-hop community. He was known for his integrity and for demanding excellence from artists, even if they paid him to play their music. Barnes’ death marked the end of an era for Atlanta hip-hop, as he was regarded as a “king among kings” by his peers.
The fatal shooting of Barnes was captured on video from his security system, showing a man walking down the street toward Barnes’ home, positioning himself behind bushes, and ultimately shooting Barnes in the head. Despite providing police with details of the Christmas Eve conversation where Barnes mentioned feeling threatened, no suspects have been publicly identified in his killing. The impact of Barnes’ death rippled across Atlanta, with the club scene mourning the loss of a respected figure who was not involved in street business, prompting speculation about the motive behind the shooting.
The killing of Tiffany Jackson Pugh, the wife of another DJ who worked at Club Onyx, was solved when her husband, Andre Pugh, was charged with murder after authorities found evidence of his involvement. Pugh and a close friend were accused of carrying out a murder-for-hire plot, shedding light on a troubled relationship between Pugh and his wife. Barnes’ family received numerous calls from people wondering if Pugh and his friend were linked to Barnes’ killing. Despite this, no arrests have been made in connection with Barnes’ death, leaving his family desperate for justice and closure.
Beasley, Barnes’ sister, reached out to detectives investigating her brother’s case in the aftermath of Pugh’s arrest, seeking updates on the status of the investigation. However, she never received a response and has not heard anything from the police department in the decade since Barnes’ death. Glover, the retired detective who investigated Jackson Pugh’s killing, expressed hope that investigators in Clayton County would take another look at Barnes’ case. He highlighted possible connections between Barnes and Pugh, including Pugh’s request for Barnes’ time slot at Club Onyx after Barnes’ killing. Despite ongoing efforts by Barnes’ family and former colleagues to seek justice, no progress has been made in identifying or apprehending suspects in Barnes’ killing.
