Pop Smoke was shot and killed four years ago. In fact, the four-year anniversary of his passing took place on Monday, February 19th. Overall, his death was a shocking one for a lot of people. He was a rising star in the hip-hop world, and it felt like he would be around for a very long time. However, his career was cut short by senseless violence. Eventually, a posthumous album would be released, and it was considered one of the best albums of 2020. Regardless, many still think about what could have been.
On Monday, with his passing trending on social media, the woman who witnessed his murder decided to speak out. Taking to her Instagram account, Amelia Rose had an emotional message about what happened. In this message, she explained how she thought she was going to die that night. Moreover, she revealed the movie Pop Smoke was watching, as well as the fear he had when the intruder came in.
“We didn’t know each other at all, but it was you who changed my life..I never thought that I would become a witness to a murder and someone’s death..February 19, 2020 the worst night of my life..,” she wrote. “I will never forget your smile when you turned on the movie Hitch..I will never forget how scared we were that night when we looked into each other’s eyes and realized that we were about to be killed. I remember what I thought at that moment (am I really going to die and my mother will never see me again) God gave me a second chance ..that’s 4 years of depression 4 years were so hard. But I thank God for life.I will never forget you.. you will forever be in my heart.”
It is a harrowing story, and we hope Rose is able to find peace. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. Additionally, let us know what you thought of Pop Smoke and his music, in the comments section down below.
Pop Smoke was an up and coming rapper from Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 20, he was killed. At the time, it was reported that he was shot during a home invasion at his residence in Hollywood Hills. Pop Smoke was declared dead on February 19th, 2020 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office then determined that Pop Smoke died from a gunshot wound to the torso. The suspects involved in the shooting remained at large for months. Then, in July 2020, five people were taken into custody.
Pop Smoke was recognized as a leading figure of the Brooklyn drill scene, hailing from the Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn. He gained widespread attention in 2019 after releasing his hit single “Welcome to the Party” and subsequently released two mixtapes, Meet the Woo and Meet the Woo Vol. 2. His song even received remixes from Nicki Minaj and Skepta. Additionally, he collaborated with Travis Scott on “GATTI” for the JACKBOYS label compilation released in 2019. He had a bright future ahead of him before it was snuffed out.
Pop Smoke performs at the Soulfrito Music Festival at Barclays Center. (Photo by Arik Mazur/Getty Images)
According to the Los Angeles Times, there has finally been a confession in the case of Pop Smoke’s murder. A teenager has admitted to killing the artist. The culprit was 15 years old at the time of a home invasion robbery that resulted in the death of the rapper in February 2020. The teen also confessed to other charges related to the robbery. The defendant’s identity has not been disclosed due to being a minor at the time of the crime, and he was charged in juvenile court. He could remain in custody until he turns 25.
Earlier this year, the same case saw a 20-year-old defendant plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. At the time of the shooting, the defendant was 17 years old and faced charges as a juvenile. Law enforcement officials arrested five individuals in July 2020 for breaking into the Airbnb where Pop Smoke was temporarily staying. Two of the individuals, Keandre Rodgers and Corey Walker, are still facing murder charges in the case, and could potentially receive the death penalty if convicted. Another individual was arrested in connection with the robbery, but was not charged.
On February 19th, 2020, Bashar Barakah Jackson, a.k.a Pop Smoke, a rising star in Brooklyn’s drill music scene, died via a gunshot wound. The murder occurred during a home invasion at a Los Angeles rental house. He was only 20 years old.
Prior to his death, Pop Smoke had released his second compilation album, Meet the Woo 2. This album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, marking his first top-10 hit in the US.
What We Know About Pop Smoke’s Murder
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Pop Smoke performs at the Soulfrito Music Festival at Barclays Center on August 30, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Arik Mazur/Getty Images)
According to prosecutors, on the day of Pop Smoke’s murder, Corey Walker and four others arrived at the house just after 4 a.m. When they got there, their goal was to locate luxury goods including a diamond-encrusted watch that Pop Smoke had flaunted on his social media pages. Allegedly, four of the five individuals entered the residence.
On July 9, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they had apprehended five people in connection to the killing of Pop Smoke. Shortly after, prosecutors revealed that four of those suspects faced charges with the slaying. Corey Walker, who was 19 years old at the time, Keandre Rodgers, who was 18, and two minors, whose identities remain undisclosed due to their age, were among those charged. The police did not charge the fifth person taken into custody.
The Alleged Shooter Was Only 15 Years Old
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 16: Pop Smoke is wearing a Louis Vuitton look before the Louis Vuitton AW20 Men Show on January 16, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Police Department detective Carlos Camacho stated, as reported by the New York Daily News that the 15-year-old suspect delivered the fatal shot. Camacho further alleged that Walker confessed to having requested the rapper’s gold chain and watch before engaging in a confrontation with him.
According to prosecutors, the masked assailants confronted Pop Smoke in his upstairs bedroom while he took a shower. The 15-year-old suspect shot him after a struggle and allegedly kicked him as the rapper was on the floor. The robbers allegedly expressed gratitude when they believed Pop Smoke would comply, but he ultimately fought back. As a result, the robbers pistol-whipped him, and the 15-year-old fired, striking Pop Smoke in the chest. The source of these details was reportedly a recorded conversation with an alleged informant in May 2020.
Walker’s Alleged Confession
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Pop Smoke performs at Olympia London on November 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
According to a report by The New York Daily News, Walker admitted his involvement in Pop Smoke’s death in a secret conversation with an informant in his jail cell. Despite pleading not guilty, Walker supposedly revealed that he and his accomplices wore ski masks and gloves.
They also utilized a police scanner to avoid detection during their robbery attempt. Law enforcement officials testified that all four suspects became aware of Pop Smoke’s location through his Instagram posts. Detective Frank Flores of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that surveillance footage shows Walker’s connection to Pop Smoke’s murder.
According to The New York Daily News, the video showed an Infinity vehicle transporting the suspects to the location of the crime. The license plate number belongs to Walker. The newspaper also reported that Walker was in the same vehicle at another time when police stopped it for an unrelated matter before the murder.
Walker’s Lawyer Files For Dismissal
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06: Pop Smoke performs at the Pop Smoke Listening Party at Villain on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
In October 2021, Walker, who was 20 years old, appeared in a Los Angeles court while his defense lawyer, Christopher Darden. They submitted a motion to dismiss his charges of murder and robbery. Darden argued that Walker had explicitly expressed his disapproval of violence before the murder.
A filing submitted by Darden argued that Walker did not enter the house. It states that he was not armed and did not share the intent to murder. Darden stated that his client was only the driver of the vehicle and remained outside. Walker claimed that he knew that they brought a weapon but made it clear that it should not be used. Instead, he suggested using a flower vase if necessary. After the robbers exited the house, Walker learned of the shooting and subsequently assaulted the shooter.
Corey Walker, who is now 21 years old, was scheduled to begin trial on October 13, 2022, in a Los Angeles court. However, his defense attorney requested a postponement. The Superior Court Judge, Curtis B. Rappe, granted the request.. Walker will face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged. District Attorney’s office announced they would not seek the death penalty.
Suspect Pleads Guilty To Voluntary Manslaughter In Pop Smoke Murder
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Rapper Pop Smoke performs onstage during day 2 of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
One of four men charged with murder pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in April 2023. The individual was 17 years old at the time of the crime and also entered a guilty plea for home invasion robbery. As a result, the judge sentenced K to spend four years and two months in a juvenile facility. According to The Los Angeles Times, he did not receive any credit for time served at a juvenile detention center. A pretrial hearing begins on May 5 for the remaining defendants in the Pop Smoke murder.
