Rapper Silento Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing Cousin in 2021
Rapper Silento known for the viral hit “Watch Me Whip Nae Nae” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2021 shooting death of his cousin in Georgia Read about the case plea deal and family reaction .
A Dramatic Plunge from Fame
Ricky Lamar Hawk widely known by his stage name Silento catapulted to global fame in 2015 with his viral hit “Watch Me Whip Nae Nae” At just 17 years old the Atlanta based teenager inspired a worldwide dance craze and topped music charts reaching No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 However behind the music and fame lay deep personal struggles that ultimately culminated in a tragic and violent incident .
The January 2021 Tragedy
On January 21 2021 police in DeKalb County Georgia responded to reports of a shooting on Deep Shoals Circle near Decatur Authorities discovered the lifeless body of Frederick Rooks III Silento’s 34 year old cousin He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the face and leg and was pronounced dead at the scene Investigators recovered at least 10 shell casings and surveillance footage captured a white BMW SUV fleeing the area shortly after the gunfire .
Suspect Identified and Arrested
Evidence quickly pointed to Silento as the suspect GPS and security data linked the getaway vehicle to him and family members confirmed Rooks had been last seen entering the car with Hawk On February 1 2021 Hawk was arrested and charged with several offenses including felony and malice murder .
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Following months of legal proceedings Hawk ultimately entered a “guilty but mentally ill” plea In exchange prosecutors dropped the original murder charges and he pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter aggravated assault possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and concealing a death .
Confession and Ballistic Evidence
Roughly ten days after his arrest Silento confessed to the shooting Ballistic tests later confirmed that the shell casings found at the crime scene matched a firearm in his possession further strengthening the case against him .
Mental Health and Previous Legal Troubles
Silento had a documented history of mental health challenges including depression anxiety and trauma from a troubled childhood In a 2019 episode of The Doctors he publicly acknowledged his struggles stating “I’ve been fighting demons my whole life” In 2020 he reportedly attempted suicide and had multiple run ins with the law including a domestic violence charge in Santa Ana wielding a hatchet in Los Angeles and reckless driving in Georgia where he was clocked at 143 mph .
Sentencing and Court Ruling
In June 2025 Judge Courtney L Johnson of DeKalb County Superior Court sentenced Hawk to 30 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter Additional time was imposed for his weapons and assault convictions with credit for time served since his arrest in February 2021 .
Family’s Response
The victim’s family gave emotional statements during sentencing They expressed disappointment feeling that the 30 year sentence was not sufficient for the loss of their loved one One sibling of Rooks stated “We just want justice” voicing the family’s lingering grief .
Conclusion
Silento’s dramatic fall from fame to a prison cell is a cautionary tale of unresolved trauma untreated mental illness and the pressures of sudden celebrity Once celebrated on international stages he now faces decades behind bars leaving behind both a legacy of viral success and a trail of sorrow .