The tragic fall of a music sensation reached its grim conclusion this week as Atlanta rapper Silento, once known for the global phenomenon ‘Watch Me Whip,’ received a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of his cousin. The verdict closes a painful chapter that saw the artist, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, grapple with significant legal and mental health challenges since the fatal 2021 shooting in DeKalb County.
The devastating incident unfolded in the early morning hours of January 21, 2021. DeKalb County Police responded to reports of gunfire in Panthersville, Georgia, where they discovered 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Eight spent shell casings were recovered near his body, indicating a violent altercation. Security cameras in the vicinity captured a white BMW SUV fleeing the scene at high speeds shortly after the gunshots, and a family member later informed investigators that Rooks had been last seen with Silento in a similar vehicle.
The investigation quickly honed in on Ricky Lamar Hawk. Through meticulous police work, including witness statements that linked Hawk to Rooks around the time of the shooting, and the crucial security footage, authorities began to build their case. Ballistic evidence proved pivotal; bullet casings found at the crime scene were later matched to a gun discovered on Silento when he was taken into custody in February 2021. Upon his arrest, the rapper admitted to shooting Rooks, solidifying the charges against him. He was subsequently booked into DeKalb County Jail and held without bond.
Legal proceedings were lengthy and complex. In August 2021, a DeKalb County grand jury indicted Silento on four felony charges: malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Attempts by his legal team to secure bail were denied, with the judge citing concerns about his mental health issues and a history of non-compliance with prescribed medication, deeming him a risk to the community. Even his own grandparents supported the denial of his bail request, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The case culminated in June 2025, when Silento entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and other related charges stemming from the 2021 shooting. This plea acknowledged his struggles with mental health, which his publicist had previously highlighted, indicating ongoing treatment efforts. On June 11, 2025, a judge handed down the 30-year prison sentence, a stark reminder of the gravity of the crime.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, this case casts a somber light on the rapper’s tumultuous journey since achieving viral fame with ‘Watch Me Whip‘ in 2015. Prior to the murder charge, Silento had faced a series of rapper legal issues. In August 2020, he was arrested twice in one week in California on domestic violence and gun charges. Later that year, he was booked for driving over 140 mph on I-85 in Georgia, pointing to a pattern of escalating personal and legal troubles. His public struggles with mental health were a recurring theme, ultimately influencing the “guilty but mentally ill” plea in the Silento murder case, which allowed the court to consider his mental state within the context of the Silento sentencing.
This tragic outcome underscores the profound intersection of celebrity, mental health, and the criminal justice system, leaving a legacy far removed from the infectious dance moves that once captivated millions.
