Silento Gets 30 Years In Prison For Cousin's Death

Atlanta rapper Silento, famously known for his viral 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to the 2021 killing of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III.

As reported by WABE-TV, the 27-year-old, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, entered his plea to charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing a death.

The sentencing stems from the shooting of 34-year-old Rooks on January 21, 2021. DeKalb County police responded to reports of gunshots near Decatur, Georgia, where they discovered Rooks’ body with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators found ten shell casings at the scene and used surveillance footage to identify a white BMW SUV fleeing the area. Police later linked the vehicle and firearms evidence to Hawk, who was arrested on February 1, 2021. During police interviews, Hawk confessed to the crime.

Once a high school junior who rose to fame for his catchy dance anthem, Hawk’s life spiraled amid bouts of mental health struggles. He had previously opened up about his battle with depression and the trauma of witnessing violence during his upbringing. “I’ve been fighting demons my whole life, my whole life,” he said in a 2019 episode of The Doctors. “Depression doesn’t leave you when you become famous, it just adds more pressure, and while everybody’s looking at you, they’re also judging you.”

During his sentencing, Rooks’ family members expressed a desire for a harsher penalty. The court, however, considered his mental health status in the decision. Hawk’s publicist has previously stated that he was suffering from multiple untreated mental health conditions leading up to his arrest.

RELATED:

Rapper Silento Indicted for Murder

Silento Performs “Watch Me” at #BirthdayBash20 [PHOTOS & VIDEO]