Dominique ‘DOMO’ Wilkins, an LGBT fashion designer from Raleigh, North Carolina, living in New York to chase his dreams, was brutally attacked and may have been set up by a failed New York rapper named Maurice Warner.
Wilkins told The North Carolina Beat that he had previously designed clothes for Warner, who goes by the rap name Mo.Dubb, and said the incident stemmed from a third transaction with Warner. On October 28, 2024, Wilkins explained that Warner was initially supposed to meet him at his job to pick up the custom-designed pants.
However, Wilkins said he needed more time to finish the pants because he required additional fabric. Once the pants were completed, Warner requested they be delivered to his address in New Jersey. Initially, Wilkins said he could stay with a friend in New Jersey and Warner could get his pants.ย
When Wilkinsโ friend didnโt get back to him, he gave Warner three options: first, send $30โ$40 for Wilkins to take a train and deliver the pantsโan option Warner declined.
The second option was to meet in New York City on October 29, 2024, which Warner also declined. Finally, Wilkins offered for Warner to pick up the pants at his friendโs clothing store, but Warner turned that option down as well.
โHe also invited me to his event the next day because he was wearing the outfit, and I asked him if he wanted to meet before the event to give him the clothes, and he said โno.โโ
Frustrated with Warner turning down every option, Wilkins told him he was acting like a โdiva.โ The two exchanged words on the phone before Wilkins hung up. Warner then arranged for a female friend to pick up the clothes from Wilkins at his job.
In a text message shared on Wilkins’ Instagram, Warner allegedly told him his female friend had arrived and asked Wilkins to deliver the pants to her. Wilkins responded, asking where the friend was and what car she was driving. Warner allegedly replied, โItโs cops there; she ainโt wanna leave her car.โ
โIt wasnโt no damn cops out there. They just wanted to bait me,โ Wilkins said.
Warner told Wilkins his friend was in a black car parked in front of TD Bank with the headlights on. Wilkins told Warner he was on his way, followed by Warner asking if Wilkins could see his friend. He said he handed over the pants, complimented the womanโs jacket, and encouraged her to look at the pants. After a brief exchange, they said goodbye, and Wilkins walked away.
โShe got it,โ Wilkins texted Warner back.
As Wilkins walked away, he said he doesnโt remember what happened next. He was attacked from behind, rendered unconscious for 30โ40 minutes, and suffered a gash above his eyebrow.
Wilkins said his phone was smashed during the attack, and a $2 vintage bill was stolen. When he regained consciousness, he saw a text message allegedly sent by Warner that read, โShe said dat concrete must be cold lol.โย Wilkins responded with โwym, wym?โ but his messages turned green, indicating Warner had stopped blocked him.
Wilkins said he gathered enough information to file charges against Warner and went to the New York Police Department’s 28th Precinct. After providing a timeline and details, police reviewed surveillance footage showing a man dressed in black following Wilkins from the car and returning to the same vehicle after the attack.
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ย Despite the footage, Wilkins said police told him they couldnโt confirm the actual assault.
โThis shit is pissing me off,โ Wilkins said. โI donโt know if nothing is being done because Iโm f*ing gay, but this shit is pissing me off.**โ
Wilkins said he was not allowed to view the footage himself to identify the suspectโs clothing. He believes the attack was retaliation for calling Warner a โdivaโ and declining to cater to Warnerโs demands as if he is Beyonce.
The North Carolina Beat reached out to New York Police for an update on the investigation but did not receive a response before the publication of this story.
