DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced on Wednesday, June 11 that Ricky Lamar Hawk, 27, a rapper known professionally as Silentó, pleaded guilty to charges for the 2021 shooting death of his cousin.
Hawk pleaded “guilty but mentally ill” to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and concealing the death of another in connection to the death of Frederick Rooks III.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the plea hearing, sentenced Hawk to 30 years in prison.
Silentó is best known for the song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).”