William Arzate, a prime suspect in the brutal 2019 murder of Chicago rapper William Pickering, known by his staged name, EBE Bandz, has been captured in Mexico. Arzate was convicted in absentia of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death but had always managed to evade capture since 2020 and thus found his name among Illinois’ most wanted fugitives.
Arzate’s arrest closes an exhaustive three-year international manhunt operation. After fleeing the United States following his conviction, Arzate disappeared from public view, and a combined effort by U.S. law enforcement and international agencies ensued to locate him. A mixture of digital surveillance, tips from informants, and coordination with Mexican law enforcement agencies in pursuit of Arzate had authorities tracking him to Mexico. International cooperation became crucial in overcoming the complicated legal and logistical hurdles associated with capturing a fugitive across borders.
This manhunt was pretty challenging. The ability of Arzate to go undercover with the locals, the vast expanse of territory, and the network of webs that cover criminals in such areas posed massive hurdles. But the persistence of the investigators, with an improvement in technologies and legal apparatus across borders, ultimately ensured that he was apprehended. The circumstances of his capture are not disclosed, but sources close to the investigation said Arzate had taken a false identity and lived in a rural area of Mexico.
Performing as EBE Bandz, William Pickering was an upcoming star in the city’s underground rap. Pickering was born and raised within the tough neighborhoods of the city, and his music spoke for many because it actually described the raw depiction of street life, struggle, and survival. Though his lyrics were very much gritty, which indeed created a different aura, friends and fans alike knew him to be excited and passionate about his craft and his community. His music often carried messages of resilience, reflecting his own journey and the hopes of those around him.
The brutal violence that befell Pickering was outrageous in nature; the incident sent shockwaves across his community. On May 25, 2019, Pickering was brutally beaten with a baseball bat; his body was set on fire and hidden in the trunk of a car.
The nature of such a brutal crime utterly devastated his family and friends but also left a void in local music to which EBE Bandz was finding traction as the voice of the voiceless. His death underlined intractable violence that has scourged certain neighborhoods in Chicago, placing in stark severity the risks that young artists and residents alike face.
The family of Pickering, since his death, has sought closure. They have been vocal over the need for justice and have further attended court hearings, having their say on accountability. His mother has since become an advocate against violence, using her son as leverage in her stories to raise awareness and further push towards changes in society. The investigation into Pickering’s death began on June 1, 2019, when he was reported missing. Detectives initially believed he had simply disappeared when his vehicle was found near his Rockford home. However, the situation was to take a turn for the worse as days mounted. Authorities located Pickering’s remains, which led to an in-depth probe that unraveled a chilling plot.
Arzate soon became a chief suspect in the murder. Evidence traced to his arrest for murder, amongst others. In some shocking results, it was determined that Pickering had died after a planned attack facilitated by multiple people, with his body mutilated to hide traces of the crime.
Arzate was convicted in absentia to life imprisonment with an additional five years in 2020. His fleeing after conviction sparked a gigantic operation against him. At any rate, his conviction notwithstanding, Arzate had managed to keep himself at large on foreign soil for years, which certainly raised questions regarding laws across the border.
The capture of Arzate recently in Mexico was considered a triumph of international cooperation; U.S. authorities are now working on extradition proceedings to bring Arzate back home to Illinois to face his sentence. While this case has been closed as per Arzate’s arrest, this has far from reached fruition and the hearing stages of this case. There was a scheduling of trial dates pertaining to Colton Kennicker, accused in the murder, and his verdict has yet to be decided upon. Dakota Graff, implicated in the murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on June 17, 2021, and awaits his sentence. Manuel Ramirez received a light sentence of 180 days after pleading guilty to concealment of a homicidal death due to his part in covering up the crime.
When EBE Bandz was murdered, he took away a part of the music community of the city with him and left a scar inside and well beyond. The brutal manner in which he was killed, along with the fact that those arrested had at a point been close with him, meant it opened up bigger questions: those of trust, loyalty, and the dangers that come with being a young musician in an environment filled with violent acts.
