50 Cent has entered a controversy involving Rick Ross’ family, and his public comments have added another layer to the long-running tension between the two rappers. After a 20-year-old man was accused of assaulting Ross’ son, William Roberts III, in Daytona Beach, Florida, 50 Cent announced that he intended to help the suspect, describing the incident as a “big misunderstanding.”
The case has since moved forward in court, with the accused man released from custody under strict conditions. But questions remain about the rapper’s promised legal assistance, what investigators say happened near Bethune-Cookman University, and how the case will proceed as the allegations remain contested.
What Happened to Rick Ross’ Son William Roberts III?
The reported confrontation took place at approximately 9:40 p.m. on October 11, 2026, near the corner of McLeod Avenue and Weaver Street in Daytona Beach, close to Bethune-Cookman University.
According to a police report and affidavit cited by PEOPLE, NBC 6, WFTV and other outlets, William Roberts III was standing on a sidewalk and talking with a woman when a grey vehicle pulled up. The man identified by police as Don Roberts allegedly got out and began addressing the woman.
William reportedly told investigators that he believed the confrontation was connected to the woman’s previous romantic relationship with Roberts.
The police report states that Roberts allegedly said, “That’s what we doin’?” before approaching William. According to William’s account, the encounter then escalated when Roberts allegedly pointed a handgun at him, threatened him and struck the right side of his head with the firearm.
The reported threat was recorded in the police report as:
“I don’t care who your daddy is, I’ll kill you right here.”
According to the affidavit, William suffered minor swelling on the right side of his head. He told police that he did not need medical attention and drove to his family’s home after the alleged confrontation.
There is a slight difference between reports concerning the vehicle. Police-report-based coverage describes it as a grey vehicle, while Complex reported that William described it as a grey BMW or Kia.
The details remain allegations documented in the investigation, rather than findings of guilt established by a court.
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Why Did William Roberts III Delay Reporting the Alleged Assault?
William did not immediately contact police after the reported incident.
According to the police report, investigators later asked him why he had waited to report what allegedly happened. William said he was afraid.
He subsequently provided information about the man he believed was responsible, including identifying details that helped investigators pursue the suspect.
Police later presented William with a photographic lineup. According to the police report, he identified Don Roberts as the person he said had confronted and struck him.
Investigators also reviewed city surveillance footage. However, the available camera footage did not capture the alleged confrontation itself.
That distinction is important when considering the evidence described in the reports. The photographic identification formed part of the investigation, but the available surveillance footage did not show the alleged assault taking place.
Don Roberts Arrested on Two Felony Charges
Police arrested Don Roberts on October 16, 2026, following the investigation into the October 11 incident.
He faces two charges:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Complex reported that Roberts pleaded not guilty on October 19. At that stage, he remained in custody while his request for release on a $50,000 bond was considered.
Prosecutors agreed to the bond request, with the final decision left to the judge.
Published reports also contain a discrepancy concerning the suspect’s name suffix. PEOPLE, Complex and several other outlets identify him as Don Roberts III, while WFTV’s police-report-based coverage identifies him as Don Roberts II. NBC 6 refers to him simply as Don Roberts.
Because the suffix differs across reports, this article uses Don Roberts without a suffix.
It is also important to distinguish the charges from a conviction. Roberts has pleaded not guilty, the allegations remain contested, and no court has found him guilty of the alleged offences.
Don Roberts Released on $50,000 Bond: What Are His Conditions?
A significant development came on October 21, 2026, when Roberts appeared in court for a bond hearing.
A judge granted him a $50,000 bond, and he was subsequently released from custody. According to WFTV, the conditions include electronic monitoring through an ankle monitor and a requirement that he have no contact with William Roberts III.
The release does not mean the charges have been dismissed. Roberts remains accused of the two offences and must comply with the conditions of his release while the case continues.
The bond hearing also left important questions unanswered about 50 Cent’s involvement.
WFTV reported that it had not independently confirmed whether 50 Cent was paying Roberts’ bond. Roberts’ family declined to comment when asked whether the rapper was financing the release.
WFTV also reported that attorney Drew Findling was not present at the October 21 hearing. The outlet had not confirmed whether Findling had formally joined Roberts’ defence or whether 50 Cent was financing his legal representation.
Consequently, although 50 Cent publicly announced that he intended to help Roberts, the available reporting does not establish that the rapper personally paid the $50,000 bond.
What Did 50 Cent Say About the Rick Ross Son Assault Allegations?
50 Cent entered the story publicly after reports of Roberts’ arrest emerged.
On Instagram, the rapper announced that he was sending attorney Drew Findling to assist Roberts. He characterised the situation as a misunderstanding and referenced his Street Fighter movie in the same post.
50 Cent wrote:
“I got him he will be out tomorrow I’m sending @drewfindling. This is a big misunderstanding that can easily be resolved.”
Following Roberts’ release, 50 Cent made another Instagram post expressing his belief that the accused man was innocent.
That statement represents 50 Cent’s personal opinion, not a judicial determination of Roberts’ innocence. The criminal proceedings remain separate from the rapper’s public comments.
His involvement has nevertheless attracted attention because of his longstanding public feud with Rick Ross. The two rappers have exchanged insults and criticisms publicly for many years, making 50 Cent’s offer to assist a man accused of attacking Ross’ son particularly notable.
50 Cent had already commented publicly about Ross’ October arrest before the separate incident involving William became public.
However, the existing feud should not be confused with the criminal allegations. Roberts’ case is being handled through the Florida court system, independently of the public relationship between the two musicians.
Tia Kemp Responds to 50 Cent’s Comments
The controversy also drew a response from Tia Kemp, William Roberts III’s mother and Rick Ross’ former partner.
According to Complex, Kemp criticised 50 Cent’s response on social media after he commented on the alleged assault and offered assistance to Roberts.
Kemp objected to 50 Cent making light of the alleged incident involving her son and argued that he should not have been publicly posting about another person’s child in that context.
Her response became part of the wider social-media dispute surrounding the case. However, her comments do not change the criminal proceedings against Roberts.
The central legal question remains whether Roberts committed the offences alleged in connection with the October 11 confrontation. That question has not been resolved in court.
Who Is William Roberts III? Rick Ross’ Son and His University Status
William Roberts III is the son of Rick Ross and Tia Kemp. PEOPLE reported that Ross welcomed William with Kemp in 2005 and that William is one of the rapper’s five children.
The reported confrontation occurred near Bethune-Cookman University, where William has been associated with the school’s football programme.
However, his university status requires clarification.
Bethune-Cookman confirmed that William appeared on its 2025 football roster. The university subsequently told WFTV that he had been dismissed from the team because of disciplinary issues before the 2026 season.
The university did not connect that disciplinary matter to the October 11 incident.
This distinction matters because some early reports described William as a Bethune-Cookman football player without including the later clarification about his status with the team.
Are Don Roberts and William Roberts III Related?
No. Published reports identify the two men as unrelated.
William Roberts III is Rick Ross’ son, while Don Roberts is the man accused in the October 11 incident.
The names can be confusing because Rick Ross’ legal name is William Roberts II, making it particularly important to distinguish between the people mentioned in reports about the separate cases.
Rick Ross Has a Separate Criminal Case
The allegations involving William Roberts III should not be confused with the criminal case involving his father.
Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was arrested in Miami Beach on October 1, 2026, after police investigated allegations made by an ex-girlfriend.
He faces felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery charges and pleaded not guilty through his attorney.
Ross has denied the allegations. Following his release, he said he was “totally innocent”, while his attorneys described him as wrongfully accused and asked the public not to prejudge the case.
That proceeding has no direct legal connection to the allegations involving William and Don Roberts. It is relevant to the wider story primarily because it forms part of the recent public context between Rick Ross and 50 Cent.
Don Roberts Case Timeline: Key Dates and Court Developments
| Date | Reported development |
| October 1, 2026 | Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach in a separate case involving allegations made by an ex-girlfriend. |
| October 11, 2026 | William Roberts III said he was confronted and struck during an encounter near Bethune-Cookman University at approximately 9:40 p.m. |
| October 12, 2026 | William reported the incident to police, according to the police account of the timeline. |
| October 16, 2026 | Don Roberts was arrested and booked on two felony charges. |
| October 19, 2026 | Complex reported that Roberts pleaded not guilty. |
| October 20, 2026 | Reports about the arrest and 50 Cent’s offer to assist Roberts received wider attention. |
| October 21, 2026 | Roberts was granted $50,000 bond and released under conditions including electronic monitoring and no contact with William. |
| November 10, 2026 | Roberts’ arraignment is scheduled. |
What Happens Next in Don Roberts’ Case?
The next major scheduled development is Roberts’ arraignment on November 10, 2026.
Until then, the case remains unresolved. The reported photographic identification, the documented minor swelling, the surveillance review and the subsequent arrest form part of the investigation described in the available reports, but they do not amount to a criminal conviction.
Roberts has pleaded not guilty and remains subject to the conditions imposed following his release.
Meanwhile, the precise extent of 50 Cent’s assistance remains unconfirmed. The rapper announced that he was sending Drew Findling to help Roberts, but WFTV had not independently established whether Findling formally joined the defence or whether 50 Cent financed the bond or legal representation.
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Conclusion
50 Cent’s offer to help Don Roberts has brought renewed attention to the long-running feud between the rapper and Rick Ross. But beyond the public dispute, the central issue is a pending criminal case involving allegations that Roberts assaulted William Roberts III near Bethune-Cookman University on October 11.
Roberts was released on $50,000 bond on October 21, subject to electronic monitoring and a no-contact condition. He has pleaded not guilty, and his arraignment is scheduled for November 10. Until the legal process establishes the outcome, the allegations must remain allegations rather than be presented as proven guilt.
Source and Research Disclaimer
This article has been prepared based on research of the sources provided, including PEOPLE, WFTV, NBC 6 South Florida, Complex, WESH, TheGrio and ABC News. It reflects the information available in those reports and preserves the distinction between reported details, allegations, personal opinions and confirmed procedural developments. The article does not imply independent verification beyond the supplied material. All allegations remain subject to the ongoing legal process.
Sources
- PEOPLE — Rick Ross’ Son William Roberts III Allegedly Attacked at Gunpoint Outside University
- WFTV — Man accused of attacking Rick Ross’ son granted $50,000 bond after 50 Cent offers help
- NBC 6 South Florida — Rick Ross’ son allegedly attacked in Daytona Beach
- Complex — Rick Ross’s Son Allegedly Pistol-Whipped, Man Arrested
- WESH — Police: Man shouted ‘I don’t care who your daddy is’ before attacking Rick Ross’ son
- TheGrio — Rick Ross’ son says man pistol-whipped him and threatened to kill him near college
- Complex — Tia Kemp responds to 50 Cent’s comments about her son’s alleged assault
- ABC News — Rick Ross appears in court after arrest on domestic violence, battery charges
Featured Image Credit: Laurahartley / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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