Atlanta Rapper Silento Sentenced to 30 Years in Cousin’s Homicide Case
Atlanta-born rapper Silentó, finest recognized for his viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” simply acquired a 30-year jail sentence after pleading responsible to killing his cousin. The sentencing brings a heartbreaking chapter to a detailed for each households, as particulars concerning the 2021 tragedy proceed to floor.
Silento, Whip/Nae Nae Artist, Charged With The Homicide Of His Cousin
The 27-year-old artist, born Ricky Hawk, entered a plea of “responsible however mentally ailing” to a number of prices—together with voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault—after he fatally shot his cousin, 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III, again in January 2021.
Based on police experiences, officers from DeKalb County responded to a name on Deep Shoals Circle and Corners Crossing within the early morning hours of January 21, 2021. Once they arrived, they discovered Rooks unresponsive, affected by a number of gunshot wounds. He was pronounced lifeless on the scene.
Neighbors advised investigators they heard a number of gunshots ring out, and pictures from a close-by safety digital camera captured a white BMW SUV rushing away. That very same SUV was linked to Silentó after members of the family confirmed Rooks was final seen entering into the car with him simply hours earlier.
Initially, police had no leads. However after diving deeper into the footage and testimonies, they named Hawk as the first suspect. Authorities later matched bullet casings from the crime scene to a firearm present in Silentó’s possession throughout his arrest. He ultimately confessed to pulling the set off
“Please Ship Silentó Constructive Vibrations”: Publicist Speaks on Psychological Well being Struggles
Shortly after his arrest, Silentó’s longtime PR supervisor Chanel Hudson launched a heartfelt assertion addressing his ongoing psychological well being battles:
“Please ship my consumer Silentó some optimistic vibrations. Over the previous a number of years, Ricky has been struggling immensely from a collection of psychological well being sicknesses. We’ll proceed in his efforts of therapy, however we ask within the meantime the general public uplift him and his household in rapid prayer and optimistic power!!Ricky is an exquisite soul, and we hope that the identical individuals who got here up whipping’ & nay nay-in with him proceed to help him and elevate him in prayer!! God bless.”
The assertion gave followers a peek into the ache behind the celebrity. Whereas the general public as soon as knew Silentó for his viral dance anthem that had the entire world shifting in 2015, it’s clear now that behind the scenes, the younger star was battling one thing a lot darker.
Psychological well being struggles within the Black group, particularly amongst younger male artists, proceed to be ignored or dismissed till it’s too late. Silentó’s crew says he had been out and in of psychological well being therapy previous to the incident.
From Viral Fame to Jail Time: A Look Again at Silentó’s Rise and Fall
Earlier than the tragedy, Silentó had grow to be a family identify because of his 2015 chart-topper “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).” The music went viral, racking up thousands and thousands of views, performances on main levels, and dance challenges throughout TikTok and Instagram. At simply 17 years outdated, Silentó had the world at his ft.
However fame got here quick—and so did the stress. Silentó struggled to copy the success of his first hit, and shortly experiences of erratic conduct and arrests started to flow into. By the point of his cousin’s demise, Silentó had already been coping with a number of authorized and private points.
