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Ten years after his hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” Silento has found himself in immense legal trouble.
Born Richard Lamar “Ricky” Hawk, he’s been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks III.
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the news in a release on Wednesday, confirming that Silento pled 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.
The DA’s office says that on the early morning of Jan. 21, 2021, police responded to a report of someone shot in the Panthersville area. After arriving, they found Rooks with multiple gunshot wounds and 10 shell casings around him. Emergency medical services arrived shortly thereafter and said he died at the scene.
During their investigation, they spoke with neighbors in the area who said they heard several gunshots, and one home even provided authorities with security camera footage of a white BMW speeding away after the shots were fired.
Rooks’ family members told cops that he was last seen with his cousin, Silento, who picked him up from a friend’s house while driving a car similarly described to the one fleeing the scene.
After connecting the dots, cops arrested Silento on Feb. 1, and he admitted to the crime. Further evidence included the case shells matching those of the gun found in his possession when he was detained.
After the arrest, his PR manager, Changel Hudson, asked for fans’ support during this difficult time for the artist.
“Please send my client Silentó some positive vibrations,” she said via an Instagram statement. “Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental health illnesses. We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer and positive energy!”
Hudson continued, “Ricky is a beautiful soul, and we hope that the same people who came up whipping’ & nay nay-in with him, continue to support him and lift him in prayer!! God bless.”
Silento’s previous legal issues include a 2020 charge for felony assault after allegedly walking into a stranger’s Los Angeles house and attempting to attack two people with a hatchet.
Silento has been open about his mental health struggles, too, telling The Doctors in 2019 that he suffered from depression while fighting demons.
“Depression doesn’t leave you when you become famous, it just adds more pressure,” Silentó said, according to The Associated Press. “And while everybody’s looking at you, they’re also judging you. I don’t know if I can truly be happy, I don’t know if these demons will ever go away.”
See social media’s reaction to the ruling below.
