On June 12, 2025, Atlanta rapper Silentó, real name Ricky Lamar Hawk, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after entering a guilty but mentally ill plea in DeKalb County Superior Court. The 27‑year‑old artist, renowned for his viral 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”, admitted to the voluntary manslaughter of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in a plea deal struck earlier this week reported people
The Incident
In the early morning hours of January 21, 2021, police responded to gunshots at a home in Panthersville, near Decatur, Georgia. They discovered Rooks, 34, with multiple gunshot wounds to the face and leg; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators recovered 10 shell casings, and video footage captured a white BMW SUV which was later traced to Silentó fleeing the area. Hawk was later arrested on February 1, 2021, and within two weeks confessed to the shooting. Ballistic testing linked a firearm in his possession to the casings at the scene.
Charges & Plea Deal
Initially charged with malice murder, felony murder, and other offences, Hawk’s plea deal downgraded the top charge to voluntary manslaughter, while also encompassing aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during a crime, and concealing a death. Silentó pleaded guilty but mentally ill, acknowledging his criminal responsibility while highlighting his mental health struggles.
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Mental Health & Past Legal Troubles
Hawk has publicly discussed his lifelong battle with mental health, including depression and anxiety. In 2019, he appeared on The Doctors, revealing he was born with marijuana, cocaine, and heroin in his system, and that he witnessed severe familial mental illness and violence. In 2020, the rapper attempted suicide and faced serious legal issues with a domestic violence incident and an assault with a hatchet in California, adding to this, a reckless driving stop in Georgia where he reportedly reached 143 mph.
Sentencing & Reaction
On June 11, 2025, Judge Courtney L. Johnson handed down a 30‑year prison sentence, with credit for time served since 2021. Family members of Rooks, particularly his siblings, expressed disappointment, saying the punishment was too lenient. One remarked to the court: “We just want justice.”
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston emphasised that the guilty plea ensured accountability while recognising Hawk’s mental health issues.
Silentó’s case is a tragic turn for the artist who once brought joy through dance and hip‑hop. It’s a reminder of how mental health issues, if not addressed, can escalate into irreversible consequences.
