Rapper Silento Arrested And Charged With Murder Of His Cousin

Silento
Rapper, Silento
Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

Atlanta-born rapper, Silentó, 23, has been apprehended and charged with the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34.

Rooks was shot dead at Georgia, Atlanta in the January 21, according to the DeKalb County Police Department.

Silentó, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, gained prominence following the successful release of the song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” in 2015.

The rapper was taken into custody on Monday, February 1, and booked into DeKalb County Jail on one felony charge count of murder.

A DeKalb County Police Department incident report reveals that officers found Rooks, lying on a road in Panthersville, southeast of Atlanta, about 3:30 a.m. on January 21. The Police also discovered eight bullet casings at the murder scene.

Rooks reportedly had gunshot wounds to the face and leg. He was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The department did not provide additional details about how investigators identified the rapper as the suspect.

However, this is not the rapper’s first brush with law enforcement. The rapper had multiple run-ins with the law in 2020.

In August, the rapper allegedly broke into a house in Los Angeles holding a hatchet while looking for his girlfriend.

The rapper was arrested the following month in connection with the incident and he was charged with two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Later in October, he was arrested and booked into the DeKalb jail on charges that he was speeding at more than 143 miles per hour.