Cousin Murder, Rapper Silento Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

Kapanlagi.com - Rapper Ricky Lamar Hawk aka Silento, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing his cousin on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The 27-year-old musician admitted to shooting 34-year-old Frederick Rooks in January 2021.

According to Variety, Silento pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing another's death. Separate charges of conspiracy to commit murder were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Silento will serve a 30-year prison sentence, including time served since February 2021 after being arrested by DeKalb County police. Unintentional homicide was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while possession of a firearm and concealing a death were each sentenced to five years.

1. Chronology

On January 21, 2021, DeKalb County police responded to a call in Panthersville, Georgia. According to police statements quoted by USA Today, Frederick Rooks was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his face and legs, as well as ten shell casings nearby. Rooks was pronounced dead at the scene.

Silento was arrested on February 1, 2021, after a family member of Rooks informed officers that he was last seen with Silento while returning home from a friend’s house. They were in a white BMW SUV that was seen in CCTV footage. Security video from a nearby home showed a white BMW SUV speeding away shortly after the sound of gunfire.

To the police, Silento confessed to the murder shortly thereafter. Authorities also matched the shell casings to the firearm he had on him at the time of his arrest.

2. Struggling with Mental Health Issues

Silento's spokesperson, Chanel Hudson, revealed that the rapper is currently struggling with mental health issues. "For the past few years, Ricky has been suffering greatly due to a series of mental illnesses. We will continue to work on his treatment, but we ask that the public support him and his family with prayers and positive energy," she wrote on Instagram.

Silento is known for the single Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) which was released when he was still in high school in 2015. The song was a huge success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnering over 400 million streams on Spotify.

(kpl/ums)