Rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 years for cousin’s 2021 murder in Atlanta
On June 11, 2025, Atlanta rapper Silentó, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a DeKalb County court after pleading guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. The crime took place on January 21, 2021, at a home in Panthersville, where Rooks, aged 34, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Judge Courtney Johnson handed down the sentence, which covers charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, and concealment of death. Investigations revealed Hawk confessed to the shooting, and ballistic evidence linked the crime to a gun in his possession. The ruling closes a case that stunned fans of the artist, best known for the viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).”
At 27, Silentó rose to global fame as a teenager, but his career was marred by legal troubles and mental health struggles. Prosecutors noted that Hawk was with Rooks hours before the crime, and security footage captured a white SUV, similar to Hawk’s, fleeing the scene.
The case sparked discussions about mental health in the music industry, particularly after Silentó’s team called for public support.
- Crime: Murder of Frederick Rooks III, January 21, 2021.
- Sentence: 30 years in prison, issued June 11, 2025.
- Location: Panthersville, DeKalb County, Georgia.
- Evidence: Hawk’s confession and confirmed ballistics.
The Panthersville shooting
The early hours of January 21, 2021, saw a violent incident that shook Panthersville. Around 3:30 a.m., DeKalb County police responded to a shooting report on Deep Shoals Circle. Officers found Frederick Rooks III, 34, with severe gunshot wounds to his face and leg. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots, and a nearby security camera recorded a white SUV speeding away shortly after. A family member of Rooks told police he was last seen with Silentó, who picked him up in a similar vehicle.
Initially, no suspect was identified, but on February 1, 2021, Hawk was arrested. During questioning, he admitted to shooting Rooks, and ballistic tests confirmed that shell casings at the scene matched a firearm found on him at the time of his arrest.
Silentó’s rise to fame
Ricky Lamar Hawk, known as Silentó, skyrocketed to stardom in 2015 at age 17 with “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).” Recorded while he was a high school junior in Stone Mountain, the song became a global sensation, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and sparking a viral dance trend on social media.
Following his breakout, Silentó collaborated with artists like B.o.B and released his debut album, “Fresh Outta High School,” in 2019. However, his career was overshadowed by legal issues, including arrests for domestic violence, weapons possession, and reckless driving.
Prior legal troubles
Before the 2021 murder, Silentó faced multiple run-ins with the law. In August 2020, he was arrested in Los Angeles after entering a home wielding a hatchet, allegedly searching for his girlfriend. The incident led to charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
In October 2020, DeKalb County police detained him for driving 143 miles per hour on Interstate 85. These incidents, coupled with reports of suicide attempts in 2020, raised concerns about his mental well-being.
- August 2020: Arrested in Los Angeles for assault with a hatchet.
- October 2020: Cited for speeding at 143 mph.
- February 2021: Charged with Rooks’ murder.
- August 2021: Indicted on murder and related charges.
Mental health spotlight
Silentó’s defense emphasized his struggles with mental health, including a bipolar disorder diagnosis. His legal team argued that these issues contributed to erratic behavior and the 2021 crime.
Chanel Hudson, Hawk’s publicist, issued a statement after his arrest, urging fans to send “positive vibrations” and prayers for the artist and his family. She described Silentó as a “beautiful soul” in need of support to manage his mental health conditions.
Judge Courtney Johnson acknowledged these factors when accepting the guilty but mentally ill plea, though the crime’s severity warranted a lengthy sentence.
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Evidence securing the conviction
The case against Silentó rested on compelling evidence. Beyond his confession, police used GPS data from Hawk’s vehicle, confirming his presence at the crime scene. Security footage further supported the timeline, showing the white SUV leaving Deep Shoals Circle minutes after the shots.
Ballistic analysis proved critical. Shell casings near Rooks’ body matched a firearm seized from Hawk during his arrest. Combined with family testimony, these elements left little doubt about his guilt.
Community and family responses
At the sentencing hearing, relatives of both Hawk and Rooks shared their grief. An unnamed family member expressed sorrow for both sides, noting the shared pain of losing Rooks and seeing Hawk imprisoned. “I’m sorry for everyone involved,” they told the court.
The Panthersville community, where the crime occurred, was deeply affected. Locals voiced shock at the violence, particularly given Silentó’s status as a public figure whose music had brought joy to many.
The legal process
Silentó’s case progressed through several stages before sentencing. In August 2021, a DeKalb County grand jury indicted Hawk on four counts: murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during a felony. He remained in custody without bond since his February 2021 arrest.
The decision to plead guilty but mentally ill was a defense strategy to avoid a harsher penalty, such as life imprisonment, which a murder conviction could have entailed. Judge Johnson weighed Hawk’s mental health history but prioritized the crime’s gravity in her ruling.
- Indictment: August 2021, on four criminal counts.
- Plea: Guilty but mentally ill, entered in 2025.
- Sentence: 30 years, with no parole details disclosed.
From stardom to downfall
Silentó’s meteoric rise contrasted sharply with his rapid fall. The success of “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” made him a global icon, but the pressures of fame, coupled with personal struggles, defined his later years.
In a 2020 interview, he spoke about the challenges of staying relevant in the music industry, revealing he often paid to perform at local venues like skating rinks, even after his hit’s success.
Silentó’s musical legacy
Despite his legal woes, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” remains a cultural touchstone. The song’s infectious hook and dance moves dominated platforms like YouTube and Vine, earning six-time platinum certification in the U.S.
Silentó collaborated with artists like B.o.B and released additional singles, though none matched his debut’s impact. His 2019 album, “Fresh Outta High School,” aimed to solidify his career, but legal troubles soon took center stage.
Broader music industry issues
Silentó’s case highlights the lack of support for young artists navigating fame’s pressures. The music industry, known for its cutthroat nature, often leaves talents vulnerable without adequate resources for mental health or legal guidance.
The conviction also ties into broader discussions about violence in hip-hop, fueling debates about the genre’s portrayal of conflict in lyrics and public personas.
