Who killed Ronnie in The Chi? Details from the Showtime drama, explored

Showtime drama The Chi has a devoted fan base that was shocked by the untimely and traumatic death of Ronnie Davis in Season 3. After years of struggle and redemption, Ronnie lost his life in an instant, leaving the viewers shocked and reshaping the further development of the series completely.

His killing not only marked the end of one of the most important parts of the show, but also is a morbid reminder of past trauma and vicious patterns of violence that plague the South Side of Chicago. As fans ponder the reason and effect of the killing of Ronnie, the story of his death keeps reverberating among people who have watched him through the maze since the inception of this series.

Who killed Ronnie in The Chi?

Ronnie Davis was killed in episode 9, Season 3 of The Chi, in an outrageous act of revenge when he was shot by a friend of Coogie, named Bakari. This murder was a clear reaction to Ronnie's murder of Coogie in the first season, when he killed him because he thought Coogie was responsible for the death of his ex-wife Tracy's son, Jason.

The death of Ronnie coincided with a moment of peace and redemption: he had rescued Keisha out of the sexual slavery racket and was introduced to his granddaughter by Tracy. This means a moment of hope and healing occurred just before his passing on.

According to the creators of the show, the reason behind Ronnie getting murdered was based on the idea of karma and poetic justice. Showrunner Justin Hillian elaborated in conversation with TV Guide:

“There was just this ultimate tale of redemption. But we did want to honor karma. So we looked at it kind of like this moment when he's walking with Tracy, the woman that he did all of this for. He shot Coogie because he was trying to avenge Jason's death for Tracy. So it was like, not going to get better than this in this moment. That's why we didn't want him to see it coming.”

According to the creators, Ronnie's journey came to an end when he was killed by someone connected to the person he had killed, thus ending his storyline.

There was no big, dramatic gun duel. Ronnie is shot in the back, with no time to prepare, which is much more indicative of how sudden and ruthless the violence of the street can be, and how raw the pain left behind can feel. The season ended with his funeral, both the character and city finding a form of closure to the experience, despite the death of Ronnie having a resounding effect on his family and friends.

About The Chi: A groundbreaking drama

The Chi is created by Lena Waithe, based on the lives of interrelated people striving to cope with violence, hope, and redemption. It is set in the South Side of Chicago. The show has been credited with realism in dealing with issues affecting the community and the interplay between characters that shaped relationships in the community.

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The show was released in 2018. The series revolves around people whose lives are entangled after they go through a chain of tragedies. Significant characters are Brandon, Kevin, Emmett, and the deceased Ronnie Davis. The Chi is characterized by its stark examination of the violence, family, justice, and redemption aspects in an urban society.

The Chi uses its multi-season narrative to highlight the violent aftermath, how one act can touch and destroy so many lives, as is the case with the deaths of Coogie, Jason, and Ronnie himself. The character of Ronnie, played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, was integral to this story as he symbolized the fuel and the death knell of atonement in a community full of loss and survival.

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