Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing His Cousin
Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing His Cousin in Georgia
Rapper Silentó, best known for his viral 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to the 2021 killing of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. The 26-year-old, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a crime, and concealing a death.
The fatal shooting occurred on January 21, 2021, in DeKalb County, Georgia. Rooks was found with multiple gunshot wounds, including to his face and leg, in a residential area. Surveillance footage and GPS data from a white BMW SUV linked Hawk to the scene. Ballistics confirmed that shell casings recovered from the site matched the firearm found in his possession. Hawk confessed to the crime approximately 10 days after the incident.
As part of the plea deal, a murder charge was dropped. The court took into account Hawk’s history of mental illness, which has included depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. His legal team and publicist highlighted previous troubling incidents, including a suicide attempt and erratic behavior in the months leading up to the murder.
Hawk had been in and out of the public eye after his initial rise to fame, but his struggles with mental health were well-documented. In the months prior to the shooting, he was arrested for driving 143 mph in Georgia and for wielding a hatchet during a bizarre outburst in California.
While the court considered his mental state, the sentencing still reflects the severity of his actions. However, some members of Rooks’ family expressed disappointment, stating the 30-year sentence felt too lenient given the loss of life.
As he begins his prison sentence, the case continues to spark conversations about the criminal justice system’s handling of mental health, fame, and accountability.
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