2009, Glenn Thomas known as the Alabama rapper Doe B was about to get a wake-up call about the lifestyle of his environment.
As he sat in a vehicle at just 17-years-old, an assailant would approach and open fire, injuring him in his eyes, resulting in the signature eye path that fans have grown accustomed to https://youtu.be/hpiihNebBWs?si=r–XAA7tTyV6BDTr (8:41-8:45) https://youtu.be/hpiihNebBWs?si=xL6zHQJF9r4aTZUl (9:05-9:15).
![Stream Turn Up [Prod. By Karltin Bankz] by DOE B | Listen online for free on SoundCloud](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/2S99lT1kkN9DsAbGZWI1KHJLfgMTmW87xFWBqBJQO2edDf5ma6u-pOmqOS1qeVANHpouajG8vVURrs4YU1iG9ofomYKSSSgLSvDQi3F0vhj4mzE-Ax_LdKvmZthBC0FxtFUCJ4GHhQmm7CKZ74JL)
Behind it, the bullet fragments that nearly took his life still lodged in his flesh https://youtu.be/1JLSB3CvIoM?si=FcXKHqttYADxCzzD (1:13-1:27) Prior to that incident, Doe B was trying to make it through a lifestyle in the streets revolving around violence and danger, but that was what he knew, that was the option before him as a way to survive in the region he called home. Having come so close to death, it forced him to focus on life and try to make changes for a better tomorrow, so his love for music became the outlet to pursue a different path https://youtu.be/1JLSB3CvIoM?si=FalyqceA8WUPQKOI (1:32-1:44).
Doe B didn’t stray from that dedication in music. With releases like viral singles “Let Me Find Out” https://youtu.be/NdUyVRXOg8A?si=ZUeqvyIPUyc5AKaD
his name began gaining popularity as the next rapper to take Alabama to new heights in the music industry. That brought the attention of Atlanta mainstream rapper T.I
who would sign Doe B to his Grand Hustle Records, becoming the step that propelled Doe B to a deal with label giant Interscope Records https://youtu.be/52Q2tsF11HU?si=HFvPXB1YXjhq-IWN (1:15-1:31)
Doe B seemed to make good on his promise to not waste his second chance at life. His style was unique, fresh, influential, and he was being dubbed the Southern BIGGIE for his talent https://youtu.be/50ufJOKHowE?si=D0HPXDLWsUbVcvJJ (0:05-0:19)
Everything seemed to be falling into place, his dreams was coming to fruition and those that supported him like his crew CBM aka Colt Block Music were about to elevate in the industry https://youtu.be/hpiihNebBWs?si=5SZWgtpveyAwOzv_ (3:04-3:17)
but on December 28th 2013, events proved that fate wasn’t to be. 8 hours prior to his passing on December 27th 2013, Doe B was discussing the opportunity of a lifetime with rapper T.I. It involved flying to Miami where he would have a studio session with T.I. and industry icon Pharrell to collaborate together https://youtu.be/RETDdHVBUiU?si=P2TDET6wqVJY6FQ6 (4:45-5:05)
It was already agreed for Doe B to get on a flight and come to Miami, but that phone conversation would be the last time TI heard his voice, much less see the raising Alabama rapper. According to Alabama legendary hip hop duo Dirty Boyz,
Doe B would have been in Miami sooner that day, but he had a big heart and always showed love to those in the city, so he stayed back to attend a birthday party for a girl by the name of Kim https://youtu.be/roQgcGNql0c?si=fYotiswUrYLpIl6x (4:23-4:34) https://youtu.be/roQgcGNql0c?si=fYotiswUrYLpIl6x (4:13-4:17)
Doe B had no idea that after enduring through the rough lifestyle he had and finally seeing his way to success, that his life would be lost that night, but that was exactly what was awaiting him in the hours to come. Doe B would arrive at the Centennial Hill Bar and Grill in Montgomery
It is alleged that while at the club, Doe B was confronted by persons with whom he had disputes with, resulting in an altercation taking place. Reports later state that around 1:30 am into the party on December 28th 2013, while Doe B was on stage, the assailants returned alighting the area with bullets injuring multiple persons, including Doe B who was wounded in his leg. His affiliate Rick Dog would be shot multiple times trying to shield Doe B https://youtu.be/RETDdHVBUiU?si=se9fiSsgoCiPZl7k (4:21-4:44)
While his efforts originally appeared to have worked, it turned out that the area in which Doe B was hit caused excessive bleeding leading to Doe B succumbing to his injuries before he could arrive at the Baptist Medical Center South for treatment https://youtu.be/zRTVbbZg5oM?si=pwFxXAuNlFdTYt0R (6:18-6:51)
It was a sad day for Alabama, but as more details emerged, the atmosphere was filled with even more grief. Kim, the girl whose birthday party Doe B stayed back to perform in, was known by her full name Kimberle Johnson,
and she was also wounded in the gunfire and succumbed to her injuries while 6 others were wounded but still alive
Family members would reveal Kimberle Johnson was at the Centenial Hill Bar and Grill that Saturday celebrating her 21st birthday.
Johnson, a Junior at Troy Universityhad just turned 21 years old with the dream to become a social worker. She was home for the holidays and the night was meant to be a memorable celebration, but turned into a tragedy that cost her life.
On her Instagram page, Kimberle would post the moment she was accepted into the Social Work Program for Spring 2014, right along the lines of her dreams
It’s almost eerie how both her and Doe B were right at the point where everything they dreamed of was happening when their lives were unjustly taken.
Families were mourning at the senseless murders, and those emotions would only amplify in intensity when reports began dissecting just how firearms were able to get into the venue past security, with multiple assailants. According to details made public by urban news platforms and the family of Kimberle, Doe B was involved in an altercation with an assailant and his affiliates as stated prior, but what happened next is what placed the venue under a microscope. The assailants were allowed to leave and re-enter after already causing trouble, but not only that, they were allowed into the venue with weapons https://youtu.be/Wsmdzu5XK_w?si=P9i8BnTCZ7cHUI3h (1:19-1:30)
Unbeknownst to Doe B, he was on stage performing and called Kimberle to the stage to wish her a happy birthday. Her family stated that she didn’t know Doe B personally so this was probably just him trying to appreciate the birthday girl. It was then the attack ensued. Witnesses recall Darius Thomas and his affiliates throwing gang signs and yelling local gang sets “South Side,” “Four Way” and expletives against Doe B.
Darius Thomas and Doe B allegedly soon ended up face-to-face, and reports claim Doe B allegedly shoved Darius Thomas in the face. Darius Thomas then raised his arm to knock his hands away and a bottle went flying.
From there witnesses stated Doe B’s assailants began shooting erratically across the crowd, from different vantage points.
https://www.al.com/news/2016/09/3_indicted_in_montgomery_night.html
With Kimberle then on stage beside Doe B, she became collateral damage as shots fired towards him before the assailants simply walked back out the direction they came https://youtu.be/Wsmdzu5XK_w?si=P9i8BnTCZ7cHUI3h (1:31-1:50)
With the club now under scrutiny, investigations revealed shocking details about the club’s past issues. The establishment was no stranger to these kinds of situations. The club was formerly known as the Rose Super Club
and had incidents including robberies, shootings, and even murders over the years, making it a hot spot for crime and violence in the community https://youtu.be/WEELwXWcmVA?si=nRUtXvoexxdjrVEp (0:28-1:15)
With the new murders involving Doe B and bystander Kimberle, the pressure to close the club crossed the breaking point prompting Mayor Todd Strange to issue a statement that the city of Montgomery, Alabama has taken action to close the establishment
With the combined assistance of Montgomery City Council President, Charles Jinright and Department of Public Safety Director, Chris Murphy, along with Kimberle’s mother’s dedication to having the club closed down, the pressure was increased https://youtu.be/Wsmdzu5XK_w?si=7rtPoUO6gR4EqyNo (1:51-2:21) https://youtu.be/WEELwXWcmVA?si=u6z_9OhMfXe2sNri (1:24-1:57)
This received an even greater push when one of the injured victims in the shooting, 20 year old Tim Hamilton, died at a Montgomery hospital on January 3, 2014. The families of the victims would file multiple lawsuits against the club
https://www.wsfa.com/story/24385909/2nd-lawsuit-filed-in-deadly-centennial-hill-bar-grill-shooting
With everything weighing down on the club owners, they eventually had no choice but to close the establishment leaving the building an abandoned shell of its former self
Hopefully, never to be returned to its glory days by new owners down the line.
Doe B was gone, emotions erupted within his peers, remembering how big his heart was and how far ahead he was pushing the city. He was the next one opening doors for more light to shine on the many talents in the community https://youtu.be/CfO9dCJ9ZYg?si=BXptIVRArNVkZPHf (1:50-2:21) https://youtu.be/roQgcGNql0c?si=pJ2PpWOd0yUETg4C (1:04-2:57)
That hole they were feeling was about to grow even wider when the killers were apprehended. Three men were indicted on murder and assault charges in connection with the shooting that took the life of Doe B.
Darius Thomas, 28, of Montgomery was indicted in August 2016 on the charges of capital murder, two counts of murder, reckless murder, and three counts of first-degree assault. He was been held without bond.
Jason McWilliams, 27, who also wears an eyepatch like Doe B was indicted on the charges of reckless murder and three counts of first-degree assault.
Reports state that both Thomas and McWilliams were initially arrested and charged with capital murder within days of the Dec. 28, 2013 shooting. McWilliams was rearrested on Sept. 2 and held on $200,000 bond. His was previously charged with two counts of capital murder, but a grand jury opted to indict him on one count of reckless murder and three counts of first-degree assault.
The last assailant, Taboris Mock, 24, was indicted in August 2016 on the charges of reckless murder and three counts of first-degree assault and placed on $200,000 bond.
https://www.wsfa.com/story/33050596/3-indicted-in-deadly-2013-centennial-hill-club-shooting
https://www.al.com/news/2016/09/3_indicted_in_montgomery_night.html
The alleged killers were apprehended, but the one thing that hurt many finding out who they were, was realizing that one of the guys was Doe B’s own affiliate. Darius Thomas could be seen in the music video for his hit track “Let Me Find Out” https://youtu.be/NdUyVRXOg8A?si=cYo0evh206bS8XBi (0:05-0:06)
It’s a sad reality that within that lifestyle of crime and violence, its often times hard to find people you can trust, and Doe B’s murder was a classic example. His friends, needless to say, felt the betrayal in their chest https://youtu.be/CfO9dCJ9ZYg?si=Wy4yFcXnqP-PjNbe (0:58-1:13) https://youtu.be/roQgcGNql0c?si=k9jkMwvDqSMqbTwI (7:30-7:42)
Darius Thomas would receive a sentence of 85 years for the three deaths in January 2018 https://www.waka.com/2018/01/10/centennial-hill-nightclub-killer-sentenced-85-years/ (0:00-0:23) He would express grief for what he did to the mothers of each victim with tears down his face. Each of the mothers, although wanting him to serve time for his deeds, found it in their hearts to forgive him for what he did before he went to serve justice.
The two remaining defendants, Jason McWilliams and Taboris Mock, both plead guilty to three counts of first-degree and assault and were both sentenced to 15 years in prison.
https://www.wsfa.com/2018/09/13/remaining-defendants-sentenced-centennial-hill-murders
It’s a sad tale when the underlying cause of the issue that got Doe B murdered came to the surface. By the words of those that lived the lifestyle revolving around gang culture and had a close bond with Doe B, he inherited the feuds of those he was affiliated with. What’s even more heart wrenching is that it is something which spans a decade ago, but continues to pass on to every new generation that comes following the norm of their environment instead of making a stand to bring change https://youtu.be/1Alx8GYFtZ0?si=cXrqu-JN7IYJ7Tre (5:24-6:12) https://youtu.be/zRTVbbZg5oM?si=nn-DQP3k86oLjLoi (3:05-3:54) Such a shame, to see battles waging for a war meant for those gone in the past. Rest in peace Doe B https://youtu.be/8VcoewaI0aI?si=Q9eDPMMNwOF-v3vA (1:01-1:31)
